Brookhaven City Council unanimously approves 2018 budget

The Brookhaven City Council unanimously approved its FY 2018 budget in the amount of $40.7 million across all funds, while maintaining one of the lowest millage rates in DeKalb County.

The balanced budget totals $40,740,764 in direct expenditures, defined as the total of all 12 funds minus interfund transfers. The general fund budget, which funds the day-to-day operations of the City of Brookhaven, totals $26 million, a 2.8 percent increase from the 2017 revised budget.

“This
budget provides the resources we need to continue the progress on the plans and
projects the City has approved during its five years,” said Brookhaven Mayor
John Ernst. “The year 2018 will be known
as Brookhaven’s year of action.”

“The FY 2018 budget funds a full-service police department, maintains 13 parks with 3 pools and 2 recreation centers; and invests in paving, sidewalk and stormwater upgrades at $777 per capita,” said City Manager Christian Sigman. “Next year’s budget supports the Brookhaven’s existing planning documents, created with public input and is reflective of prudent financial and operational management.”

Other
features on the FY 2018 Budget include:

• The 2.74 millage rate is unchanged and remains one of the lowest in DeKalb County.
• The 2018 year-end General Fund reserve remains at 25% of expenditures.
• $2.5 million is dedicated for the 2018 paving program, consistent with the 2018-2022 paving plan.
• Parks Master Plan implementation funding is proposed at $1.2 million
• Funding for the construction of Phase I of the Peachtree Creek Greenway set to begin in the second quarter 2018.

Public hearings on the FY 2018 budget were held on Oct. 24 and Nov. 14. The approved budget can be found online at http://www.brookhavenga.gov/city-departments/finance/2018-proposed-budget.