Council adopts FY2027 budget after brief debate

The Milledgeville City Council adopted Ordinance O-2605-15, the fiscal-year 2027 annual operating budget and five-year capital improvements program, after debate on whether to postpone final approval. A motion to table the ordinance was offered but the council proceeded to a vote and the mayor announced adoption at the meeting.

During discussion council members raised process and timing concerns; the mayor noted the council had been in budget review since April and emphasized the legal requirement of a balanced budget entering July 1. In the roll-call votes recorded in the transcript, Dr. Wills, Miss Pendergas and Miss Simmons were recorded as voting no on a tabling motion and were later recorded as no on adoption; Miss Shanholster, Dr. Lee and Miss M voted to adopt. The presiding officer declared the budget adopted.

Council members said they would continue to discuss priorities during an upcoming retreat and training. No details of line-item changes or specific funding reallocations were adopted at the meeting beyond the ordinance vote itself; staff will proceed with implementation per the approved schedule.