Peachtree City presents FY2027 budget; council plans Aug. 20 vote and explores LHOST for homestead relief

Peachtree City staff presented the proposed FY2027 operating and capital budget, including revenue estimates, expense drivers and a five-year financial model. Staff recommended a flat millage rate, citing the first-year effect of the state’s homestead cap (HB 581) and the availability of a newly authorized local-homestead-option-sales-tax (LHOST) that, if enacted at the county level and approved by voters, could provide substantial homestead tax relief beginning in calendar year 2028.

Key budget highlights: a recommended 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for staff, the final year of three firefighter hires to staff Fire Station 85, three proposed new positions (police admin, planning and an EMS training coordinator), rising health-care costs and modest increases in technology and utility budgets. Staff proposed using a $6 million reserve draw to supplement federal grant funding for police training and emergency operations-center upgrades and outlined a potential $12 million bond for parks and facilities upgrades with an estimated $1 million annual debt service that the model suggests can be absorbed without raising the city millage rate.

Staff emphasized a target fund-balance range under different scenarios and said the five-year model would remain healthy after the proposed reserve draw and potential bond payments. Councilmembers and at least one resident praised the budget’s focus on maintenance, public-safety staffing and conservative revenue assumptions. The council opened and closed a public hearing on the proposed budget and will consider final approval on August 20.