Athens-Clarke County approves FY27 budget after review of enterprise funds and capital plan

The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County approved its fiscal year 2027 budget on June 9 after a presentation on enterprise funds and brief deliberations by commissioners.

Manager Cow (county manager) explained that enterprise funds — business-like operations such as the airport, landfill, water and sewer, solid waste, and stormwater — are paid for by users, not by general property tax receipts. He said the water and sewer enterprise is projected to generate about $82.5 million in FY27 while the budgeted expenses for that enterprise total roughly $95.5 million; the gap will be covered by prior-year balances set aside for capital work.

The manager said about $20 million in the FY27 capital program is projected for rehabilitating and replacing sewer lines to reduce stormwater infiltration into sewer systems. He also noted that enterprise revenues can be leveraged to secure state and federal matching grants — for example, nearly 90% of the purchase price for a recent $1.5 million fire truck was paid by state and federal sources while roughly 10% came from the airport enterprise.

Commissioners who spoke framed the budget as chiefly intended to sustain county services and staff. Commissioner Myers pointed to amendments that increase market-rate pay adjustments for county employees (a 4% market increase referenced for unified plan employees and a 3% public-safety adjustment with additional step increases) and underscored that the bulk of the budget funds personnel and everyday operations.

Attorney Drake read the formal budget ordinance and a companion ordinance reorganizing certain county offices; the commission moved and approved the budget during the meeting. Mayor and the manager thanked finance, HR and department directors for preparing the package.

The commission indicated more detailed review of enterprise funds will occur in upcoming work sessions in the fall, with utility staff present, so commissioners and the public can examine rate structures, capital projects and funding carry-forwards in greater depth.