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IssueCorneliaunder consideration

Cornelia city commission releases draft FY2027 budget with $788,769 General Fund shortfall

The draft budget proposes higher sanitation and water/sewer fees for residents while spending across the city's nine funds totals more than $28 million.

By NEGA Brief NewsroomLast checked September 30, 2026
Latest

September 22, 2026: Railroad Crossing Elimination Project (federally funded)

What happens next

A public hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, with adoption expected at the November 8, 2026 City Commission meeting.

At a glance

What this means now

Where it stands

No vote has been taken on the budget yet. A public hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026, and adoption is expected at the November 8, 2026 City Commission meeting.

The story

The Cornelia City Commission has put out a draft FY2027 budget covering nine funds with total expenditures of $28,062,546. The General Fund alone shows expenditures of $8,673,769 against projected revenues of $7,885,000, a shortfall of $788,769.

SourcesDraft FY 27 Budget 19.3 MB

The draft calls for fee increases in two utility funds. The Sanitation Fund would rise $28,000, driven mainly by the collection contract and by landfill fees that double to $20,000, alongside a 5% fee increase. The Water and Sewer Fund proposes a 5.5% increase in water and sewer fees.

SourcesDraft FY 27 Budget 19.3 MB

Other funds in the draft include $194,175 in LMIG Fund money going entirely to paving, a Storm Water Utility Fund that would put $260,000 toward the Myrl Street Drainage Project along with an audit of storm water fee collections, a Community House Fund supported by rising rental revenue, and $1,000,000 for the federally funded Railroad Crossing Elimination Project.

SourcesDraft FY 27 Budget 19.3 MB

No vote has been taken on the budget yet. A public hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026, and adoption is expected at the November 8, 2026 City Commission meeting.

SourcesDraft FY 27 Budget 19.3 MB

What happened

How this issue got here

Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Sanitation Fund budget, collection contract and landfill fees, 5% fee increase

Sanitation Fund ($528,000): up $28,000, mainly for the collection contract and for landfill fees, which double to $20,000.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY2027 proposed budget, all nine funds

it covers nine funds with total expenditures of $28,062,546.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

General Fund budget and shortfall / millage rate decision for FY2027

General Fund expenditures of $8,673,769 exceed projected revenues of $7,885,000, leaving a shortfall of $788,769.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

LMIG Fund paving budget

LMIG Fund ($194,175): the state's Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant and supplemental LMIG grant, all of it going to paving.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Public hearing and adoption schedule for FY2027 budget

A Public hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, and adoption is expected at the November 8, 2026, City Commission Meeting.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Water and Sewer Fund budget including 5.5% fee increase

a 5.5% increase in water and sewer fees

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Storm Water Utility Fund budget: Myrl Street Drainage Project, fee audit, and Master Plan

It funds the Myrl Street Drainage Project ($260,000) and an audit of the Storm Water Utility Program to confirm the City is collecting the correct fee amounts.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Community House Fund budget

Community House Fund ($105,000): fully supported by rental revenue, which is projected to rise from $85,000 to $105,000.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Railroad Crossing Elimination Project (federally funded)

$1,000,000 for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Project, which is fully funded by a federal grant.

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