Sandy Springs taxpayers will get a chance to publicly address how the city spends its money when the first public hearing on the proposed 2015 budget is held June 3.
The city’s $90 million general fund expenditure budget for 2015 includes $13.75 million for City Center Phase I implementation, $8.7 million for transportation improvements and no property tax increase.
Transportation improvements on tap include $750,000 for the city’s sidewalk program, $500,000 for Abernathy and Johnson Ferry roads and $2.4 million for the Heards Ferry Elementary intersection.
Under the proposed budget, which the Sandy Springs City Council will consider approving on following a final public hearing June 17, the tax millage will hold steady at 4.731 mills. Projected revenue for 2015 is $83 million, up from $80 million in 2014. Projected general fund expenditures for 2015 are $90.1 million, up .93 percent from $89.3 million in 2014. To balance the budget, a general fund balance from 2014 of $7 million will carry over into the 2015 budget.
Proposed 2015 budget: Where $90 million will go
$44 million
Parks, permitting, capital projects. The city’s biggest expenditure this year is $25.5 million for “other.” Most of that money will be spent on capital projects, with $13.75 million for the City Center at the top of the list.
$34.3 million
Police, fire, EMS and courts. This year’s budget includes $626,840 and $115,000 for new police and fire vehicles, respectively.
$7.5 million
Departments and services that keep the city’s day-to-day operations moving along.
$4.3 million
Budgets for the offices of the city’s top officials. The City Clerk’s budget was significantly larger last year because of the municipal elections.