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Duluth council adopts roughly $43 million FY2027 budget, keeps millage rate unchanged
Summary
The Duluth City Mayor and Council on June 8 adopted the City of Duluth’s FY2027 operating and capital budget (about $43 million) and approved related budget amendments including acceptance of a GDOT LMIG grant and funding for Hudgens Trail design alternatives.
The Duluth City Mayor and Council on June 8 approved the City of Duluth’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budget, an overall plan staff described as about $43 million, and adopted ordinance O2026‑21 to put the budget into effect.
Ken Sakmar, Assistant City Manager and Finance Director, presented the proposal and highlighted comparisons between FY2026 and FY2027, saying the current millage rate has remained the same for several years and is anticipated to remain unchanged for FY2027. After a statutorily required second public hearing and no public comments, the council voted to adopt the budget; the record shows Councilmembers Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder and Cummings voting in favor.
The council also approved several budget‑related consent items that interact with the fiscal plan. The City will submit its Title VI annual report to the Georgia Department of Transportation as required. The council authorized acceptance of a Georgia DOT Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Supplemental award of $348,008.60 and passed ordinance BA‑FY26‑42 to add those funds to the FY2026 grant line and to a Transportation/Infrastructure Improvements account. Separately, staff secured approval for a $55,000 budget amendment (ordinance BA‑FY26‑43) to contract with Practical Design Partners to develop up to five design alternatives and conduct a public hearing for the Hudgens Trail pedestrian and bike connectivity concepts.
Why it matters: the adopted budget sets spending priorities and capital project funding for the coming year while leaving the city’s millage rate unchanged, meaning property tax rates are expected to remain at current levels. The LMIG grant will fund local street repairs and the Hudgens Trail design work will inform future construction or funding requests.
Next steps: ordinance O2026‑21 is in effect following council approval; staff will proceed with the listed capital projects and submit required documents to GDOT before June 30 where applicable.
