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Brooks adopts $622,719 FY2026 budget, approves SPLOST sidewalk extension and several road projects
Summary
The Brooks Town Council on June 16 adopted a balanced FY2026 budget, approved a $91,510 contractor bid for a SPLOST-funded sidewalk extension, authorized a $55,000 IGA for Morgan Mill resurfacing, approved a $174,945.09 paving invoice, and moved the vacant Post 5 seat to the November municipal election.
The Brooks Town Council adopted a balanced FY2026 budget at its June 16 meeting, approving a General Fund of $622,719 and an Enterprise Fund of $43,000. Town Clerk Lorey Spohr told the council the budget includes $472,719 in proposed operating revenue and $150,000 in 2023 SPLOST funds, and that proposed tax revenue of $391,169 is sourced about 49% from LOST and 16% from property taxes. The millage rate will remain at 1.129 mills. The FY2026 budget package includes a 2.93% cost-of-living increase for town employees and reflects an overall 5.8% increase from last year, driven in part by a 19.3% rise in property and liability insurance costs.
Council members also approved several infrastructure actions tied to the town's 2023 SPLOST program and other roadwork. M. Ungaro presented a revised plan for a sidewalk extension along Hwy 85 Connector, including a painted crosswalk at the railroad and use of an existing four-foot fire lane at the school to reduce new concrete; the contractor bid of $91,510 was approved unanimously. Separately, the council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Fayette County to mill and resurface Morgan Mill Road between the Hwy 85 Connector and Brooks Woolsey Road, with Town costs limited to materials not to exceed $55,000 and county crews providing labor and equipment.
The council approved Asphalt Paving Systems Invoice 253005-2 for $174,945.09 covering surface treatments, a micro surfacing application and scrub seal on Brooklet, Brookside, Carrington and Railroad streets; staff reported those treatments extend pavement life by an estimated eight years at about one-quarter the cost of full repaving. The council also accepted an engagement letter for auditor James Whitaker to perform the FY2025 audit at an estimated cost between $17,000 and $19,000.
On the vacancy created by the June 6 resignation of Council Member Todd Speer, the council adopted Resolution 2025-006 to include Post 5 on the November 4, 2025 municipal ballot rather than hold a separate September special election; the candidate who receives the most votes will be sworn in at the November 21 council meeting. All recorded motions during the meeting passed unanimously unless noted elsewhere in the minutes.
Votes at a glance — key motions and outcomes: the FY2026 budget was adopted as presented (motion: Scott Israel; second: Ted Britt; outcome: approved); approval of the SPLOST sidewalk contractor bid for $91,510 (motion: Scott Israel; second: Kay Brumbelow; outcome: approved); Resolution 2025-006 to add Post 5 to the Nov. 4 election (motion: Brian Davis; second: Scott Israel; outcome: approved); Asphalt Paving Systems Invoice 253005-2 for $174,945.09 was approved (motion: Ted Britt; second: Kay Brumbelow; outcome: approved); Morgan Mill resurfacing IGA authorization up to $55,000 (motion: Brian Davis; second: Scott Israel; outcome: approved); engagement letter for auditor James Whitaker ($17,000–$19,000) approved (motion: Kay Brumbelow; second: Brian Davis; outcome: approved).
The meeting included a public hearing on the FY2026 budget. A resident asked for confirmation that the millage rate remained at 1.129 mills; Spohr confirmed that rate. Another resident raised safety concerns about the Brooks Chapel walk area and requested surface repairs.
The council adjourned the open session at 7:22 p.m., held an executive session, and reconvened to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
