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Morrow council reviews $26.7 million proposed FY2027 budget; no property tax increase proposed
Summary
City Manager Landry Merkison presented a proposed FY2027 operating budget of $26,667,448 that retains the current millage rate and includes a $3 million tax anticipation note and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for staff; council set a June 30 Special Called Meeting for final action amid questions on revenue estimates and audit timing.
City Manager Landry Merkison presented the City of Morrow’s proposed FY2027 operating budget of $26,667,448 at the June 23 work session, saying the year-over-year increase reflected the inclusion of a $3 million Tax Anticipation Note (TAN), $1.083 million in projected SPLOST revenues and a series of revenue corrections and fee adjustments. He told council that, excluding those timing and one-time items, estimated operating revenues totaled about $14.8 million.
Merkison said the proposal would retain the current millage rate of 0.7514 mills and would not raise property taxes. The budget package includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees and a 5% adjustment for public safety personnel. Staff also plan to absorb an estimated 21% increase in employee health insurance premiums without passing that cost to employees.
Councilman Wayne Collins asked how projected citation revenue for the Municipal Court was calculated. Merkison replied the estimate relied on historical court revenues, corrected financial coding, consultation with court staff, and recently adopted fee increases; staff adjusted the Municipal Court Agency Fund revenue estimate from $654,200 to $700,000 to reflect those inputs.
Merkison told the council the administration recommends proceeding with adoption and noted budget amendments may follow; he confirmed the city would present the proposed budget and any recommended amendments at a Special Called Meeting on June 30, 2026, to meet the statutory July 1 deadline.
Why it matters: The budget sets priorities for city services, staffing and capital spending. The TAN and SPLOST projections materially affect the headline total, and council members pressed staff for clarity on revenue assumptions and historical accounting as audits and record corrections proceed.
Background and context: Merkison said engagement letters for the FY2024 and FY2025 audits have been approved; staff are correcting FY2024 records so that audit can proceed, and the FY2025 audit will follow once FY2024 work is complete. The FY2023 audit has been completed and findings addressed, according to the City Manager.
Next steps: The council will reconvene for a Special Called Meeting on June 30, when it may take final action on the FY2027 budget and any amendments.
