Acworth Board Adopts FY 2027 Budget; Property Tax Rate Set to Stay at 8.950 Mills
The Acworth Board of Aldermen adopted the city's FY 2027 budget on July 6, 2026, along with more than a dozen ordinances, contracts, and agreements. The board also set in motion a public hearing to keep the 2026 property tax millage rate unchanged at 8.950 mills.
FY 2027 Budget and Fee Schedule Adopted
The board unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2026-11, adopting the FY 2027 budget. It also unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2026-12, amending the Master Fee Schedule, and Ordinance No. 2026-13, adopting an amended FY 2026 budget for SPLOST projects. No dollar totals for the overall budget were listed in the available minutes.
Two code amendments passed unanimously: Ordinance No. 2026-06 amending the Disorderly Conduct code, and Ordinance No. 2026-14 amending the Cemetery code.
Major Contracts Approved
The board approved several large-dollar agreements:
- **Tantalus Systems, Inc. software agreement** — $986,931.92 (unanimous)
- **Anixter equipment distribution agreement** — $732,265.50 (unanimous)
- **Russell Landscape mowing renewal** — $136,000.00 (unanimous)
- **Safebuilt Georgia, LLC building services contract** — up to $70,000 (unanimous)
- **ESRI GIS Small Government Enterprise Agreement** — $30,200 per year (unanimous)
The board also approved a Georgia State Games Commission agreement for a Lake Acworth swim event, a Georgia Transmission Corporation encroachment agreement, a Musco Lighting agreement for Newberry Park light pole relocation, and a Cobb County payment for 800mhz Radio System maintenance — all unanimously.
Downtown Development Authority Agreement Passes on Split Vote
The board approved a Downtown Development Authority intergovernmental agreement for 4750 Allatoona Gateway on a 4-4 vote with one abstention. The minutes did not identify which members voted for or against, or who abstained.
Property Tax Rate and Ross Road Items on July 10 Agenda
A July 10, 2026, meeting agenda — minutes not yet published — lists a public hearing on Ordinance No. 2026-22, which would keep the 2026 millage rate at 8.950 mills, the same level as 2025. Residents may comment for up to five minutes before the council votes.
The same agenda includes Resolution No. RS2026-17 to abandon a portion of Ross Road rights-of-way and deed the property. The consent agenda lists an employment agreement with James Albright as City Manager, sanitation disposal purchase orders totaling $475,000 ($100,000 to Waste Management and $375,000 to Bartow County), and the sale of eight vehicles and five industrial equipment units declared surplus via GovDeals.com.
Other Actions
The board unanimously approved The Beautiful Block Party as a city festival, a Medicare Supplement Plan administration item for retirees, release of $1,727.36 in donations for Acworth Expanding Horizons, Inc., a full-time classification pay scale and career development program, and a CB2/DDA/City Letter of Intent.
A separate July 6 work session included an executive session for real estate and legal matters, entered and exited on 5-0 votes. Cemetery Ordinance amendments and AMI Program updates were directed to the June 18 Consent Agenda.
Coming Up
No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should watch for published minutes from the July 10 meeting to confirm whether the millage rate and Ross Road items were finalized.