FY2027 Public Engagement Session

Augusta, Georgia FY2027 public budget engagement session, held October 5, 2026: County Administrator Tamika Allen presented highlights of her proposed $1.26 billion budget and gathered public feedback. The proposal maintains most department budgets at FY2026 levels, includes no new positions or programs, and recommends a two-mill increase to the county M&O rate. The administrator said projected Floating Local Option Sales Tax collections would more than offset that increase, resulting in a lower net millage rate if adopted. Other proposed rate changes include a 6.5% water and sewer increase, a 0.2 increase to the fire tax and 0.7 to the urban services district to support firefighter starting salaries, and 3% annual escalations for environmental services and street-light fees. These were recommendations under Commission review; no budget vote or procurement award occurred at the session.

Capital and service issues included SPLOST 9, for which the city is considering about $80 million in bond financing to advance projects; the administrator noted that SPLOST-funded construction can create future operating and maintenance costs. Roads and drainage/flooding were identified as major infrastructure priorities. The city is considering a centralized grounds-management department and an operational-efficiency assessment. In response to public comments, Allen said the current waste-management contract does not include recycling at no cost and that the service could be considered in a future agreement. Residents also asked about selling unused city properties; the city has a process for property inquiries and may recommend divesting some recreation and parks properties. No specific vendor selections, contract awards, or purchasing approvals were identified.