Franklin presents balanced FY27 budget; tax rate held at $1.03, public hearing May 26

City Manager David Freeman and Finance Director Jeff Deline introduced the City of Franklin’s proposed FY27 operating and capital budgets during a May 11 work session, describing a structurally balanced plan that would not draw on unassigned general‑fund balances and would keep the real‑estate tax rate at $1.03 per $100 of assessed value.

Deline, the city’s finance director, told council the all‑funds proposed appropriation is about $91.42 million, with a general fund of roughly $36.65 million. He said a confirmed 10% reassessment of property values would generate about $871,000 in additional revenue under the recommended rate. “The city manager’s duty is to provide council with a balanced budget framework with the best information available at the moment,” Deline said in his presentation.

The FY27 proposal targets a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for city employees, adds approximately 1.5 full‑time equivalent positions (including one full E911 LMR technician and a half‑time HR recruiter), and funds several capital priorities: repairs to roofs and HVAC systems, LED lighting and carpeting, replacement of the communications radio system (about $4.4 million), and targeted electric‑fund capital. The plan preserves reserves above the city’s 15% policy floor and includes a contingency of $219,000.

Deline also recommended a 7% retail rate increase for Franklin Power & Light effective July 1, 2026, projected to bring in about $1.28 million in additional revenue that would support operating costs, capital needs and a transfer toward debt assistance. Water and sewer rates were proposed to remain unchanged.

The council set a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate for 7 p.m. on May 26. City staff will publish the budget packet and presentation materials in advance, and council members were invited to review priorities and raise policy questions ahead of the hearing.