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Griffin commissioners adopt 2026–27 budget, tap $11.6 million in reserves
Summary
The Griffin Board of Commissioners adopted the fiscal 2026–27 operating and capital budget, using roughly $11.6 million in fund balance to cover gaps across funds; the 6–0 vote follows staff warnings about structural deficits and calls for policy decisions on transfers, taxes, and enterprise fund sustainability.
The Griffin Board of Commissioners on June 9 adopted the city’s FY 2026–27 operating and capital budget, approving a plan that draws approximately $11.6 million from the general fund balance to balance multiple funds.
City Manager Jessco Connor, who presented the budget at the second required public hearing, said the proposed plan shows the general fund projecting to use "$11.6 million in fund balance." She told commissioners the general fund’s projected revenue is about $29,760,569 while general fund expenses are roughly $50 million, leaving a structural gap that must be addressed by policy changes, additional transfers, or tax increases.
Connor laid out specific pressure points: the water and wastewater fund is projected to use about $2,955,465 from reserves; motorpool and several component units (the golf course, airport authority, Main Street and DDA) are projected to be short by hundreds of thousands to more than a million dollars; and the solid waste and other enterprise funds show varying revenue/expense positions. She said auditors have repeatedly flagged cross-fund accounting issues that staff are working to unwind and that a transition to new Tyler financial software should improve transparency.
Commissioners asked detailed accounting questions about depreciation and cash versus accounting deficits. Connor noted that the $24.5 million aggregate deficit shown across all funds includes non-cash depreciation and that the city’s final net position for budgeting purposes meets the legal requirement of a balanced budget, but cautioned that relying on reserves year after year is "damaging and not something that can be sustained."
After hearing from staff and closing the public hearing with no additional public comments, the board voted with six members in favor to adopt the budget. The motion and second were recorded by the mayor and the vote was signaled by six hands.
Next steps: staff advised commissioners they will continue work with auditors on cross-fund accounting, monitor effects of the new financial software, and return with policy options to address recurring transfers and long-term structural gaps.
Votes at a glance: budget adoption — vote tally reported as 6 in favor, 0 opposed.
