SUWANEE—The city of Suwanee has approved its FY 2016 budget, which totals $14,843,060, ahead of the July 1 deadline.
"It's a very stable budget. It's about a $12.4 million general fund budget," said Marty Allen, City Manager.
The budget includes a millage rate of 4.93 mills, the same as FY 2015; it also includes three new positions within the city: an administrative assistant, a crime analyst, and a contracted pool of bailiffs.
"I don't think (the city) needs a new administrative assistant. I just don't think so," said former mayor Richard Trice, speaking during the public hearing. Trice was the only resident to take the podium for public comment. His main issue with the budget, however, is debt.
"Instead of paying $713,000 in interest this year for the debt, I think we ought to take...maybe $2 million of (reserves) and put it down to lower the debt," said Trice.
Overall, the city will pay about $1.6 million in debt payments for bonds used to build City Hall and several city parks, according City Spokeswoman Lynne DeWilde.
The budget also includes money set aside for new police cars, equipment for the public works department, and continued funding of the city's two master plans (Downtown Suwanee Master Plan and the Public Arts Master Plan).
"I believe there are five police cars in the budget. We've got some public works vehicles, some planning (department) vehicles," said Allen, adding the budget is "a very conservative budget."
Suwanee officials anticpate a 10.2% increase in revenued compared to FY 2015.
A detailed look at the budget can be found on the city's website.
