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Hogansville reviews proposed 2025–26 budget, recommends trimming AMR placeholder and weighing police pay raises
Summary
At a June 16 work session, Hogansville officials discussed lowering an AMR subsidy placeholder from $425,000 to $300,000 because of a 12–18 month county timeline for ALS implementation, considered two police-pay scenarios with estimated payroll impacts of about $126,090 and $272,518, and budgeted a routine $100,000 transfer from the medical account to cover raises.
Hogansville city officials on June 16 reviewed the draft 2025–26 budget and discussed trimming a proposed Advanced Life Support (AMR) subsidy placeholder while weighing options to raise police pay.
City Manager Lisa Kelly recommended lowering the AMR placeholder from $425,000 to $300,000 after receiving new information from the county indicating a 12–18 month timeline for full ALS-paramedic implementation. Kelly said the smaller placeholder “maintains readiness for future needs while freeing funds for other budget objectives.”
The council also discussed two police-pay scenarios. The current proposal would set starting pay at $26 per hour; an alternate would raise the starting wage to $27 per hour and increase civilian police pay by $0.50 per hour. Staff presented estimated citywide payroll impacts of $126,090.30 for the smaller adjustment and about $272,517.74 for the larger package. Retention incentives — a $1,000 bonus after three years and $2,000 after ten years — were suggested as additional tools. Police Chief Jeff Sheppard joined the budget discussion on staffing and competitiveness.
Kelly asked the council for direction on which payroll alternative to implement and said staff would provide more detailed spreadsheets to inform a final decision. She added that preliminary property-tax digest information from Troup County should be available by Wednesday and would be used to refine revenue estimates.
On internal funds, staff described a routine $100,000 transfer from the medical internal service fund to the general fund to help cover planned employee raises; staff reported the inter-fund balance has operated effectively and that transfers may be adjusted based on claims and employee health trends.
Council members and staff also discussed capital and equipment priorities, including sidearms, replacement or used forklifts, and new backup generators for City Hall and the maintenance building; staff noted not all facilities yet have generators available.
No votes were recorded during the work session. Staff indicated follow-up analysis and spreadsheets will be provided to council members and that formal budget decisions, including any amendments, will be considered after updated revenue information is received.
