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Mayor, city staff present 2026 budget balanced at $35.9M; sanitation fee increases and SPLOST projects highlighted
Summary
City staff presented a proposed 2026 general fund budget balanced at $35.9 million, a projected millage of 6.25 mills, proposed sanitation fee increases phased over three years, and SPLOST-funded capital projects including rail-trail right-of-way acquisition and Broad Street improvements.
City staff presented a proposed 2026 general fund budget balanced at $35,900,000 and outlined capital projects and fee changes the council will consider this year.
"We were able to balance this budget at a flat budget over last year at $35,900,000," the presenter said, describing the proposal as focused on "strategic investments" to sustain the city's growth. The presenter said the 6.25-mill figure is a projection; the council will set the millage in June.
The presentation traced the budget's context to recent credit-rating work and several years of planned capital spending. The presenter said growth in the prior five years created operational needs and that planned capital catch-up after the COVID period contributed to operating deficits in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Key investments called out in the presentation included continuing debt service for property purchases on Broad Street and a new public works facility,…
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