Board adopts FY2026-27 budget and tax-rate ordinance, restores arts and sports funding

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the city's FY2026-27 budget and tax rates on third and final reading, adopting Ordinance 1685 by a 5-0 vote.

Finance staff told the board the city will have two certified tax rates this year because Coffee County completed a reassessment while Franklin County has not. "The city doesn't get to have more money just cuz your property...appraised higher value. They make us lower the rate," finance staff explained, adding that property owners should see bills close to last year's amounts despite rising appraisals.

The adopted budget includes amendments the board approved during debate. A motion to restore Arts Council funding raised that line from $1,500 to $6,000; the board carried the amendment 5-0. The board also approved a motion to restore funding for the Sports Council at $35,000 for the year, a 5-0 vote intended as a one-year restoration while staff and members develop a longer-term approach to hotel/motel-tax allocations.

Board members discussed and left in the budget a salary placeholder for the newly hired city administrator. The mayor said staff placed $165,000 in the proposed budget as the initial figure informed by a compensation study; the board did not change that amount before approving the full ordinance.

Ordinance 1685 passed unanimously. The mayor thanked citizens who attended and commented during the public hearing; the board said it will schedule study sessions to work through details for specific programs including senior services and long-term funding strategies.