Stonecrest City Council adopts FY 23 budget, $9.3 million earmarked for Capitol improvements

STONECREST, GA – The Stonecrest City Council voted to adopt the Fiscal Year (FY) 23 budget at its Special Called Meeting on Nov. 14. The balanced budget includes many of the Council’s priorities such as improving Browns Mill Recreation Center, park upgrades, and an expanded list of community engagement activities and events, the city stated in a news release.

The budget also highlights the City’s desire to serve residents through a largely in-house staffing model. As a result, the Leisure Services Department plans to hire up to 29 additional personnel to oversee day-to-day operations, including landscape, janitorial, aquatics and right-of-way maintenance.

“The City solicited input from Council, staff, residents, businesses and area stakeholders,” said Mayor Jazzmin Cobble. “The FY 23 budget represents our shared vision of improving the quality of life and enhancing service delivery throughout Stonecrest. It reinforces our plan of implementing measurable investments that strengthen our community and make Stonecrest one of the best cities in the world to live and do business.”

The FY 23 budget includes $9.3 million in capital improvements and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) projects. In that figure, City officials have allocated more than $200,000 for park and gateway monuments, bridge and streetscape improvements and wayfinding signage, the news release stated.

“It was very important that we appropriated these funds to support targeted enhancements that create a sense of place for residents, businesses and visitors,” said Cobble.

Stonecrest anticipates $15 million in projected revenue, which will give officials a balanced budget. The City’s top funding sources are general property taxes, franchise fees, and business taxes such as insurance premium and business occupational taxes.

“This balanced budget provides a pivotal roadmap that will guide and shape our city,” said Gia Scruggs, Acting City Manager and Finance Director. “It also showcases the responsible stewardship of our financial resources, as we continue to transition to in-house staff while witnessing a steady increase in projected revenues.”