Macon County Mayor Proposes FY26 Budget with Increased Spending, Stable Millage Rate
Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller today presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The proposed budget reflects an increase in spending across various departments, including significant allocations for public safety, IT, beautification, and recreation. Despite these increases, the millage rate is proposed to remain unchanged and could potentially be lowered further once the county receives its final tax digest.
“We’ve been able to lower our millage rate by more than 50% since 2021 and increase spending thanks to better budgeting, more focused spending, and the voter-approved OLOST,” stated Mayor Miller. “I’m proud of our departments for focusing their work on our community’s highest priorities and our budget and finance teams for getting them the funding they need.”
Since 2021, Mayor Miller has consistently proposed, and the Commission has approved, continuous funding increases in key priority areas:
- Salaries & Benefits: Increased by $23,814,499, from $99,870,902 in FY22 to $123,685,401 in FY26.
- Public Safety: Increased by $28,023,171.47, from $94,075,033.53 in FY22 to $122,098,205 in FY26.
- Information Technology: Increased by $3,427,043, from $5,255,311 in FY22 to $8,682,354 in FY26.
- Recreation: Increased by $3,078,558.92, from $4,659,721.08 in FY22 to $7,738,280 in FY26.
- Beautification: Increased by $2,273,998.35, from $2,402,174.65 in FY22 to $4,676,173 in FY26.
A public hearing on the Proposed FY26 Budget is scheduled for June 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall (700 Poplar Street). A final vote on the budget will take place on June 17 at 6:00 p.m.
