The Flowery Branch City Council reviewed the Fiscal Year 2026 budget Thursday night, addressing growth in the city and increasing costs of supplies and materials.
The city’s revenues and expenditures are going up from $11 million to $15.6 million, a nearly 41% increase.
Councilman Joe Anglin said a lot of the increased budget comes from surplus.
“We are looking to use those funds to pay for equipment needs that we have,” Anglin said. “We have got a roundabout that we are going to be doing that has come in over budget, well, what we thought was going to be the price a couple of years ago, obviously, has gone up.”
Anglin added that they will use about $2 million of surplus money for the roundabout at the intersection of McEver Road and Gaines Ferry Road.
“Public Works is in need of several vehicles and equipment. So there are several things, but that's where the bulk of that increase is coming from. Money that is already there, but it's in surplus,” Anglin said.
Among the increases, health insurance and benefit costs for city employees are up 32.4%.
The millage rate will remain the same as the FY 2024 and 2025 budgets at 3.264.
The tax impact on property owners will depend on property assessments, which can either increase or decrease taxes.
“If somebody's property assesses higher, then you're going to multiply the 3.264 by the new assessed value, or 40% of the assessed value. So they could see a tick up in that regard. Or if it's assessed down, then they would see a property tax decrease,” Anglin said.
Seven new positions are being proposed, including purchasing coordinator, administrative assistant, two maintenance workers, deputy chief of police, property and evidence custodian, city engineer and building inspector.
