Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Canton presents $98.3M FY2027 budget proposal; public hearings on millage rate moved after ad error
Summary
City finance staff presented a balanced FY2027 budget totaling about $98.3 million that funds capital projects and service-level increases; city set public hearings for the millage rate on July 16 and Aug. 6 after an advertising error prompted rescheduling. Residents raised strong concerns about a potential millage increase.
City finance staff presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget to the mayor and council, a plan that staff said totals about $98.3 million across all funds and funds nearly $34.5 million in capital projects.
"The budget is balanced and it funds core city services like police, fire, parks and public works," the presenter (Luckett) told the council. The proposal is based on the current advertised millage rate of 5.25 mills but anticipates unknown county fire‑service changes; staff included contingency scenarios noting county fire costs could raise city expenses substantially if the county millage increases.
Key items in the proposed budget include $35 million in capital investments (South Canton Park and Ridge Pine Elevated Tank among the projects listed), a proposed 2.5% increase in water and sewer rates, a $450,000 sewer inspection program to inspect roughly one‑third of sewer lines annually (over three years), funding for five new full‑time positions, and $373,000 for employee compensation adjustments (a 2.5% cost of living increase and step/retention pay). The presentation also enumerated SPLOST, impact fees and transfers as primary capital funding sources.
Several residents used the public comment period earlier in the meeting to oppose a proposed increase in the millage rate. Chris Evert, who spoke during public input, said the city’s April financials showed reserves and questioned increasing the millage when the city budget appeared to have significant excess: "Why a budget that's not under pressure constitutes an increase in the millage rate is beyond me," Evert said, arguing that last year’s action to lower the rate should be the model.
Todd Smith (Rivergreen) and other residents said seniors on fixed incomes would be harmed by repeated tax increases and urged the council to examine senior‑exemption thresholds and zero‑based budgeting opportunities. Council and staff stressed the budget is based on the current millage rate and that legal advertising requires listing a potential maximum; the council postponed the fiscal‑year millage hearings because of an advertising issue and rescheduled them for July 16 (11 a.m. and 6 p.m.) with a final hearing and potential adoption on Aug. 6 at 6 p.m.
Staff said the budget details are available on the city website and in a public copy at City Hall, and that more information about county fire‑service millage proposals will be shared as it becomes available. Councilmembers complimented the clarity of the presentation and emphasized scrutiny of line‑items as the budget moves toward adoption.
