Baldwin City Council adopts FY2026 budget after resident objects to 57% tax hike claim

Starting April 10, 2025, the Baldwin City Council worked through FY26 budget requests department by department, including police, fire, public works, water/wastewater and general administration. Police Chief Jones said he hoped to hire additional officers to have two per shift, and the fire department's proposed budget grew to cover hiring three firefighters and four sets of turnout gear. CAO Emily Woodmaster also led a session on stricter budgeting and revenue-generating methods, including possible changes to millage or water/sewer rates.

On May 6, Woodmaster presented an amended FY2026 budget timeline. By May 27, the council set the proposed budget to be made public on May 30 and scheduled a public hearing for the June 9 council meeting. At a June 3 presentation, the projected budget deficit was shown shrinking from $891,614 to $434,582.

The council held the required public hearing on the FY2026 budget on June 9, 2025, opened by legal counsel Jack Samuels.

At the June 26 meeting, a member of the public commented that the proposed budget amounted to "a 57% increase in property taxes over 2024," citing a reduction in Banks County revenue. The council nonetheless voted 4-0 to approve Resolution #2025-06165R adopting the FY2026 budget, which carried a projected $429,000 deficit; the adopted general fund showed total revenue of $3,939,048.77, down from the FY25 total of $4,074,902.04.

On July 8, the council discussed making additional cuts to the FY26 budget. Councilmember Alice Venter raised an alternative employee insurance option with Capstone Financial that she said could potentially save the city money.