Roswell's two public budget workshops for fiscal year 2027 are complete, and the next stop for the city's spending plan is the Mayor and Council chamber.
The city held its second and final drop-in session Saturday, July 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the community room at East Roswell Recreation Center, 9000 Fouts Road. The first session took place Wednesday, July 15, at the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building at Roswell Area Park, according to the city's workshop announcement. Both were open to residents and business owners without registration.
Staff from departments across the city were stationed around each room to answer questions and hear feedback one-on-one. The format was informal: a short welcome and overview, then open conversation. The city has not yet posted minutes, presentations, or attendance figures from either session. Documents are typically available within three business days of a meeting, according to the city's portal.
$1.3 million mid-year amendment sets the stage
The workshops followed a split vote on the FY2026 mid-year budget amendment. The Mayor and Council approved the $1.3 million package 4-2 at their Monday, July 13, meeting, with Finance Director Adam Novotney presenting.
The amendment funds public safety and operations priorities fully offset by higher-than-expected revenue. City departments had submitted 54 requests totaling $7.1 million. Leadership recommended $1.3 million. Requests that were not funded may be reconsidered during FY2027 budget development.
Specific line items included $245,000 for police staffing, $75,000 for fire overtime tied to severe weather readiness, $32,314 for a new fire drone program, $82,104 to restore janitorial services at three recreation centers, $136,490 for Old Mill Park seasonal staffing, $70,000 to upgrade school zone flashers, and $222,000 to restore a Microsoft Office 365 license from existing IT funds.
At the committee stage on Tuesday, June 23, the amendment advanced 6-1. Councilmember Christine Hall cast the lone dissenting vote at that meeting. The identities of the two council members who voted no on July 13 have not been confirmed in posted records.
What comes next
The Mayor and Council hold their next regular meeting Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 38 Hill Street. Public meetings on the millage rate — the property tax rate applied to 2026 taxes due in December — will follow in September. Full FY2027 budget meetings continue in October and early November.
The current FY2026 budget, adopted unanimously on Monday, October 27, 2025, totals $229.9 million across all funds, with $51.5 million dedicated to public safety and $21.5 million in capital investment.
Residents can track the budget process at roswellgov.com/budget.
