The Fiscal Year 2027 Mayor’s Recommended Budget for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, for the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) has been submitted to the Commission for review. The budget is balanced and includes a General Fund Operating and Capital Budget that totals $212.5 million for FY27, which is $10.5 million more than the FY26 budget.  

The budget year begins on July 1. In advance of the beginning of the fiscal year, departments and constitutional officials submit operating and capital budget requests for review by the Manager and the Mayor. The Mayor submits a recommended budget to the Commission for review by April 30 each year. The Commission reviews the Mayor’s Recommended Budget and can make any adjustments necessary prior to adopting the budget in June.  

The FY27 Mayor’s Recommended Budget proposes a millage rate of 12.25 for property tax year 2026, which is no change from the current rate. Each mill of this rate produces $1 of taxes for every $1,000 of assessed property value as determined by the Tax Assessor’s Office.  

Additional specific information on the budget, including the full FY27 Mayor’s Recommended Budget, is available at www.accgov.com/budget. A budget summary section is also available as part of the overall budget document. The goals, strategies, and initiatives in the Mayor and Commission’s FY26-28 Strategic Plan also helps guide budget priorities. 

Some of the major items included in the Mayor’s Recommended Budget: 

• Employee compensation is targeted for a 3% pay table increase to ensure competitive recruitment, along with a 3.5% market increase for current employees in the Unified Plan (non-public safety). In addition, the structured Public Safety Step Plan is funded with a 3% pay table increase and an additional $687,000 to fund scheduled step increases.
• For the fourth year in a row, ACCGov will hold constant employee contributions to the health insurance program. ACCGov’s contribution to annual funding for active employee healthcare benefits did not require additional funds from the General Fund. ACCGov’s contribution to annual funding for employee benefits includes General Fund increases of approximately $377,000 for pension funding and holds steady for health insurance and retiree health. 
• A reduction of nine long-vacant positions funded through the General Fund and the addition of some key positions to ensure optimal performance, including an additional Assistant Manager and a Capital Projects Engineer, whose role will be to work both internally as the pace of public projects accelerates and externally as development processes are refined.
• Funds for an economic development strategic plan to further work with private sector partners and capital funds in the Economic Development Department to support high wage employment in key sectors.
• An increase in the budget for Community Events Programming, scheduled in conjunction with the Athens Downtown Development Authority, to $300,000 to continue to invest in the events that make Athens such an inviting community.
• Even as American Rescue Act Plans expire, continuation of a youth partnership with the Clarke County School District to provide sports and cultural offerings to thousands of elementary and middle school students, filling a longstanding gap in offerings for local families. An additional continuation of work with the Athens Housing Authority for youth programming in their community centers through an intergovernmental agreement to ensure that providers in those facilities extend the curriculum of the school district for optimal integration with what happens in classrooms. The community-facing Neighborhood Leaders program will continue to be funded with a new framework that will provide for eight support and referral agents and a supervisor. This youth and community support work pursues well-researched efforts that have been demonstrated to bring increased public-safety and prosperity. 
• Full funding of the Athens Regional Library needs.
• An extended season at the recently rebuilt Bishop Park pool ($40,000). 

An effort has been made to address areas of concern with court and related offices:  

• For Probate Court, $85,000 has been included for a Fiduciary Compliance position to help address the speed and volume of legally required fiduciary filings. 
• The District Attorney’s and Solicitor’s Offices are supported with a career path for their investigative units to ensure greater employee retention ($50,000). 
• A number of measures have been made to manage the growing cost of necessary courthouse services, including the introduction of a full-time Lab Tech in Probation ($54,000), funds for legally required records storage, translation services, court reporting, and bailiff support. Sheriff’s Office cost increases include $350,000 for increased inmate medical needs and $280,000 for additional meal costs. 
• Full funding of the Public Defender’s Office. 

The Athens-Clarke County Commission is scheduled to adopt the FY27 Budget at a Special Called Session on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM at 301 College Avenue in City Hall. 

Before the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission finalizes the FY27 Budget, the Athens-Clarke County Commission is scheduled to review the FY27 Mayor’s Recommended Budget at a series of meetings.  

These upcoming budget-related meetings will take place:  

• Tuesday, May 12 – 1:00 PM – Mayor & Commission budget review following the work session at 120 West Dougherty Street, Government Building Auditorium
• Thursday, May 14 – 1:00 PM – Mayor & Commission budget review following the work session at 120 West Dougherty Street, Government Building Auditorium
• Wednesday, May 20 (moved due to Election Day) – 6:00 PM – Mayor & Commission Agenda Setting Session, Taxpayer Bill of Rights Public Hearing #1 of 3 & Public Hearing on the FY27 Budget at 301 College Avenue, City Hall Commission Chamber
• Thursday, May 21 – 5:30 PM – Mayor & Commission review of quasi-governmental agencies and, if needed, a budget review following at 120 West Dougherty Street, Government Building Auditorium
• Tuesday, June 2 – 6:00 PM – Mayor & Commission Regular Voting Meeting & Taxpayer Bill of Rights Public Hearing #2 of 3 and, if needed, a budget review following the regular session at 301 College Avenue, City Hall Commission Chamber
• Thursday, June 4 – 6:00 PM – Mayor & Commission budget review and Taxpayer Bill of Rights Public Hearing #3 of 3 at 301 College Avenue, City Hall Commission Chamber
• Tuesday, June 9 – 6:00 PM – Mayor & Commission Special Called Session with the FY27 Budget on the agenda for adoption and public comment at 301 College Avenue, City Hall Commission Chamber 

 All budget review meetings will be streamed live online and available for on-demand viewing at www.accgov.com/videos, on the ACCGov YouTube channel, and on the ACCGov Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV channels. Meetings held at City Hall will also be broadcast live and rebroadcast on ACTV Cable Channel 180 and the ACCGov Facebook page.  

The FY27 Mayor’s Recommended Budget can be reviewed at www.accgov.com/budget. More information is available on each meeting agenda at www.accgov.com/agendas or by calling the Clerk of Commission at 706-613-3031.   

A copy of the FY27 Mayor’s Recommended Budget is also available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Athens-Clarke County Library at 2025 Baxter Street and the Clerk of Commission’s Office in City Hall, 301 College Avenue, in Suite 204.