Johns Creek presents balanced $83.2 million FY2027 budget; council schedules follow-up hearings

Director Morris presented the city of Johns Creek's proposed FY2027 budget at a public hearing on July 27, describing a balanced plan that maintains current service levels and anticipates $83,200,000 in general-fund revenues and expenditures. "The FY 2027 budget is balanced, maintains all current service levels," Director Morris said during his presentation.

Morris said the largest revenue source remains the local option sales tax, projected at about $28.5 million (roughly 34 percent of general-fund revenue), with property taxes next at about $23.4 million (roughly 28 percent). He outlined personnel costs of about $46.2 million for approximately 291 full-time employees, noting built-in merit increases, cost-of-living adjustments and higher health premiums that take effect Jan. 1, 2027. New initiatives in the proposed budget include funding for public-safety staffing and equipment, a stormwater grant program continuing into a second year, a new pond-dredging grant program, and capital investments such as tennis-court resurfacing and trail connections.

City Manager Kimberly Greer and staff said the budget process included forecasts based on historical trends, and that staff prepared two additional work sessions to allow council and the public further review. The council scheduled budget work sessions on Aug. 10 and Aug. 24, with a second public hearing and final adoption targeted for Sept. 14. The presentation materials and the budget summary were provided in the council's agenda packet; staff noted some figures are subject to final Fulton County digest information for property-tax calculations.