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Walnut Grove presents balanced FY27 budget; proposes city marshal, finance officer and capital projects
Summary
City administrator presented a proposed FY27 combined budget of $4,791,349.65, highlighting new positions (city marshal, budget/accounting officer), a continuing focus on infrastructure (sewer expansion, stormwater, street resurfacing) and one-time capital items including an automated city sign and public-works vehicles; council asked staff for minor clarifications before the public hearing.
Walnut Grove’s city administrator presented a proposed FY27 combined budget of $4,791,349.65 and described personnel, operating and capital priorities for the coming year.
The administrator described the FY26 highlights—new website, expanded sewer capacity, a sanitation fund and CodeRED emergency notification—and then walked the council through FY27 proposals. Key personnel changes proposed in the draft budget include two new positions: a city marshal to increase localized public-safety and code-enforcement capabilities and a budget officer/accounting technician intended to bring finance and bookkeeping functions in-house and reduce reliance on outside contractors.
The budget presentation also outlined department-level changes: a reorganization of code-enforcement duties in light of an anticipated retirement, added training and certification funding for planning and municipal staff, the inclusion of a 5% retirement contribution for council (approved previously but reflected here), and small adjustments to conference and travel allowances. Staff noted that the mayor’s gas allowance and any council stipends will be shown separately in the next iteration of the proposed budget at council direction.
On capital spending, the administrator proposed an automated electric sign for city hall (approximate line item noted as $40,000 in the draft, with some costs moved to sewer operating where appropriate), replacement public-works vehicles, and park/ballfield improvements (soil replacement, field drag, new basketball goals) funded in part by prior SPLOST referenda. The budget includes planned spending for sewer expansion (GIFA loan balance and remaining construction funds) and an approach to using SPLOST proceeds and enterprise-fund surpluses to support capital projects.
Council asked clarifying questions on the proposed budget lines (electric costs, franchise taxes, insurance premium taxes, and rounding practices). Staff said the proposed millage calculation as presented would produce roughly a 3.9 roll-back rate under current digest assumptions but that final figures depend on county digest updates and state law changes. The council directed staff to incorporate small adjustments (uniforms, mayor gas allowance line item and any rounding) and to post the revised proposed budget for the scheduled public hearings.
