The Roswell Mayor and City Council have approved a mid-year amendment to the City’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget. A mid-year budget amendment is a routine update that allows the City to adjust its budget partway through the year based on actual and projected revenues and emerging needs, rather than waiting for the next full budget cycle. This amendment funds several important needs in public safety, City facilities, and operations, and it does not cost taxpayers anything extra. Every dollar of new spending is offset by higher-than-expected revenue.
The amendment was discussed at the Committees of Council meeting on June 23, 2026, and formally approved at the Mayor and City Council meeting on July 13, 2026.
City departments initially submitted 54 requests totaling $7.1 million this year. After a thorough review, City leadership recommended approximately $1.3 million in priority investments, fully offset by higher-than-expected revenues and other identified funding sources. The requests not funded with the mid-year budget amendment may be considered as part of the City’s FY 2027 budget development process.
Public Safety
The largest share of the new funding supports public safety. The Fire Department will receive $75,000 to cover overtime costs from severe weather earlier this year and to maintain readiness through hurricane season, along with $32,314 to launch a new fire drone program for emergency response. The Police Department will receive $245,000 to maintain full staffing levels, and the Public Safety Headquarters will receive $18,000 for ADA-compliant accessibility improvements.
Facilities and Parks
The amendment restores janitorial services at three high-traffic recreation centers ($82,104), funds the City’s cost-share for sediment removal at Nesbit Lake ($54,438), and corrects a budget omission related to a custodial contract ($67,610). Old Mill Park will receive $136,490 for seasonal staffing and programming to support its busy summer season.
Roads, Technology, and Staffing
The amendment also includes $70,000 to upgrade school zone flashers, improving reliability and aligning them with the City’s new speed camera program. It restores the City’s Microsoft Office 365 license, which was inadvertently left out of the original budget, using $222,000 from existing IT Fund balance rather than general tax dollars. Additionally, the City will add a Grants Manager ($67,775) to help pursue and manage outside funding opportunities and an Executive Assistant ($41,884) to support senior leadership.
Revenue Growth
A $8,500 investment will fund enforcement efforts to identify short-term rental operators currently operating without a license. This initiative is expected to generate new license revenue that more than covers the cost of the investment.
Looking Ahead to FY 2027
Residents will have several opportunities in the coming months to learn more about the City’s finances and weigh in on budget planning for FY 2027. The City will host two public Budget Workshops in July. The first is Wednesday, July 15, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building (BJCAB) at Roswell Area Park. The second is Saturday, July 18, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Community Room at East Roswell Park Recreation Center.
Public meetings on the millage rate (the property tax rate applied to 2026 taxes due in December) will follow in September, with 2027 budget meetings continuing in October and early November. More information on dates, locations, and how to participate will be announced soon.