Macon-Bibb Approves FY2027 Budget With Increased Public Safety, Recreation Funding and No Planned Tax Rate Increase
MACON, Ga. — The Macon-Bibb County Commission has approved its Fiscal Year 2027 budget, increasing funding in several priority areas while maintaining the current millage rate.
County leaders said the budget reflects continued investments in public safety, recreation, technology and employee compensation despite economic uncertainty.
“It is through our budget that we set our priorities for the year based on what we hear from the general public, our departments, and our partners,” Mayor Lester Miller said. “I am proud that, even with the uncertainty in the economy, we are able to increase funding in many areas, avoid decreases to others, and still not raise the millage rate.”
Since Miller took office in 2021, funding has increased by more than $31.7 million for public safety, $3.3 million for recreation, $1.8 million for beautification efforts, $3.8 million for information technology and more than $22.7 million for employee salaries and benefits.
Officials said the county has also leveraged funding from multiple sources to support affordable housing initiatives, blight remediation, the Macon Violence Prevention program, Macon Mental Health Matters and the Paving the Way road improvement program.
County leaders noted that while the approved budget focuses on the General Fund, additional projects and programs are supported through funding sources including SPLOST, OLOST and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
“While this budget reflects our General Fund, we have worked with the Commission and our Finance team to supplement those funds with the SPLOST, OLOST, ARPA, and more to put true community-improvement programs in place,” Miller said.
According to the mayor, those investments have helped remove dangerous structures, expand affordable housing opportunities, pave more than 160 miles of roads within a year and contribute to reductions in violent crime.
The county also highlighted that its millage rate has declined by more than 50% during the past several years, dropping from 20.331 mills to 9.575 mills.
Officials emphasized that the final millage rate recommendation for Fiscal Year 2027 will be made later this summer after completion of the county’s tax digest.
“Our families are facing the same uncertainty in the economy that we as a government are facing, and this would not be the time to create any additional hardships on them,” Miller said.
Additional information about the approved budget, including presentations, meeting videos and supporting documents, has been made available by Macon-Bibb County.
