Split Roswell council advances $227M budget, 1-mill tax hike

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council voted 4-2 Nov. 9 to advance a proposed $227 million fiscal year 2027 budget , but city staff and council members still have some work to do before the final spending plan is complete. The proposed budget has an operating millage rate of 5.049 mills, which would be a 1-mill increase from the approved 2026 operating rate. That amounts to a 24.7% increase in the operating rate. With another 1.183 mills for bond debt, the total millage rate would be 6.232 mills. A mill is $1 in property tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value, which in Georgia is 40% of its market value. The council approved the 2026 millage rate of 5.232 mills Sept. 28 after a month of contentious debate. Mayor Mary Robichaux had proposed a total rate of 7.732 mills , including a 2.5-mill increase in the operating rate. Council members kept the operating rate at 4.049 mills and only increased the bond debt rate. A final vote on the proposed 2027 budget is scheduled for Dec. 7, and council members can still make changes before then. The budget assumes the higher tax rate, but the council will not set the 2027 millage rate until later next year, after Fulton County finalizes property values. The spending plan would raise General Fund spending, which covers police, fire, parks and streets, about 17% to $125.9 million. The city estimates the tax increase would raise about $7.3 million and says it would help pay for the final year of its move to a full-time fire department, higher health insurance costs and repairs to city buildings and equipment. The budget keeps recreation program fees the same, removes funding for vacant city jobs and includes no merit raises for employees in 2027. Eleven residents urged the council Nov. 9 to reject the proposed tax increase, which would cost the owner of a $500,000 home about $200 more a year in property taxes before exemptions. Resident Claire Snedeker questioned why Roswell needs a nearly 25% increase in its operating tax rate. She also questioned why the budget would draw down $21 million in savings by the end of 2027, which she said is all of the money the city holds beyond its required reserve. “[This budget] leaves the city exposed,” Snedeker said. “The city would have spent down all of the city’s unrestricted fund balance going into 2028.” Snedeker displayed a slide Finance Director Adam Novotney presented at the Oct. 26 council meeting. The proposed budget shows the same figures. The city had about $50 million in available General Fund savings at the end of 2025. After setting aside the roughly $29 million the city’s policy requires it to keep in reserve, the rest would be used by the end of 2027, mostly for capital projects and year-end adjustments. Council Member Allen Sells moved to cut $10 million from the budget and drop the proposed 1-mill tax increase. Council Member Christine Hall seconded the motion, but the rest of the council voted it down. Council Member Sarah Beeson then moved to approve the $227 million budget as presented, saying the council would still need to make some “difficult decisions” before final approval. Council Member Eren Brumley seconded the motion, which passed 4-2. Beeson, Brumley and Council Members Chris Zach and Jennifer Phillipi voted in favor, and Sells and Hall voted against it. Appreciate the work? Help us keep this reporting available to all by joining the Appen Press Club. Your support makes all the difference. Chip in!