Posted on: 06/13/25
SNELLVILLE - Mayor and Council announce the unanimous approval of the city's Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) balanced budget. While keeping property taxes stable, the $40,740,970 budget maintains current services, prioritizes staff retention and fosters community development.
The budget’s approval comes after months of planning and discussion and two public hearings.
“We are proud to approve a budget that maintains and improves services for citizens and spurs the future growth of Snellville without raising the millage rate,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “This is the fourth consecutive year the millage rate has remained at 4 mills. However, in order to hold the line on the overall millage rate, the decision was made to reinstate a residential sanitation fee of $240 that will be reflected on tax bills in September.”
The FY26 budget reflects the current global economic conditions which have impacted the cost of living, health coverage, construction supplies and utilities.
City leaders have balanced these increased expenses with a focus on continued quality service and progress toward community goals.
Community Development:
The city, with citizen input, updated the T.W. Briscoe Park Master Plan. The plan included the construction of a new community center with amenities such as an indoor walking track, basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts, meeting rooms and an aerobics studio. In May, the city broke ground on the $11.3 million community center funded by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and more than $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funding.
The Grove at Towne Center continues to develop with the anticipated opening of Crooked Can Brewery and food hall, Dumpling Master, The Grove Taqueria and Parkside District. Within the entertainment district, the city will continue with its concert series and events.
Capital Improvements:
Funding is provided for a major intersection improvement at North Road and Wisteria Drive, addressing congestion and improving safety near The Grove at Towne Center. The project will also include new sidewalks, lighting and landscaping as well as upgraded traffic signals to improve safety for pedestrians in the area.
To continue to provide quality services, the budget has funds for new equipment including a truck for the stormwater department, six police vehicles and a mower for right-of-way maintenance.
Other capital investments include a total of $1 million for the city’s annual paving project and $1.4 million in stormwater infrastructure improvements.
Revenue Adjustments and Restructuring:
Mayor and Council upheld the referendum vote to support House Bill 581. With this legislation, homeowners will receive the floating homestead exemption which ties increases to property values to the rate of inflation instead of market values. This will slow the property valuation increases for homeowners and the full effect on the city’s property tax collections will not be known for several years. The floating homestead exemption is in addition to the city’s current homestead exemption.
Sanitation Fee Implemented:
The city has funded residential garbage collection out of general fund property taxes for the last 20 years. Since this policy was instituted, the cost of sanitation services has increased substantially and city staff has recommended charging separately for services.
“We’ve known for the past five years that this train was coming to an end,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “We will have to rebid the contract next year and seeing the current rates other cities are facing, we know our costs will have yet another substantial increase. We simply cannot continue to fund the shortfall without either a serious increase to the millage rate or adding a flat user fee. This is not something any of us wanted to do.”
The $240 annual fee will be included in this year’s property tax bills.
Staff Retention and Recruitment:
A 3 percent increase in salary is designed to retain and attract new employees to the city. Parks and Recreation will hire two new full-time and 13 part-time employees to staff the new Community Center at T.W. Briscoe Park.
“Presenting a budget without a millage increase while keeping services and quality of life at the level expected by city residents is a priority,” said City Manager Matthew Pepper. “It is a testament to the dedication of Mayor and Council and city staff to be able to present a balanced budget that keeps the city on a path toward excellence.”