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Macon‑Bibb mayor unveils lean $221 million proposed 2027 budget, emphasizes public safety and IT
Summary
At a May 19 presentation, the mayor proposed a roughly $221.0 million 2027 general fund budget that he described as balanced and lean, keeping the millage rate unchanged pending hearings; the plan increases public‑safety and cybersecurity investments and schedules a public hearing on June 2.
On May 19 at Macon‑Bibb County City Hall, the mayor presented his proposed 2027 general fund budget of about $221,000,489 and said the plan is balanced — revenues match proposed expenses — while keeping the millage rate at about last year’s level for now.
The mayor said property‑tax receipts have declined in recent years, telling the commission that the county received roughly $81 million from property taxes in 2022 and about $58 million in 2026. He said the shortfall has been offset in part by sales‑tax growth and other adjustments, and noted the county’s multi‑year effort to roll back millage to around 9.5 mills.
“This is a balanced budget,” the mayor said during the presentation. He described priorities that drive the plan: public safety, employee salaries and benefits, information technology and cybersecurity, recreation, and beautification. The mayor said salaries and benefits increased materially since 2021 and that public‑safety spending represents a substantial share of county costs — he cited roughly 57% of the budget as related to public safety.
The proposal includes increased funding for the sheriff’s office and the fire department to support personnel and equipment, and a continuing investment in information‑technology upgrades to reduce cybersecurity risks and modernize systems. The mayor emphasized that some line items previously funded by ARPA are being transitioned to the operating budget as those one‑time funds expired.
He also announced a public hearing on the budget scheduled for June 2 and said the commission will hold additional hearings before a final vote; printed budget packets and an online resolution will be made available to the public. “If you try to add something to this budget, you must attract something from this budget,” the mayor said, stressing the county’s requirement to identify offsets for any additions.
The mayor asked departments (other than public safety) to identify up to 10% in potential cuts and cautioned that state caps and limits on local revenue tools could constrain future flexibility. He encouraged residents to attend the hearing and to vote in the ongoing election cycle.
The county will receive the packet and the resolution online; details about specific line‑item changes, contract terms, or final vote dates will be set during the hearing process.
