Roswell's proposed 2027 budget is built on a 6.232-mill city tax rate, 1 mill above today: about $230 more on a $575,000 home. First reading is Nov. 9.
Roswell’s proposed budget for 2027 is built on a city property tax rate 1 mill higher than this year’s. The operating part of the rate would rise from 4.049 to 5.049 mills. With the bond repayment added, the total city rate would go from 5.232 to 6.232 mills, an increase of about 19%.
The budget was presented to the Mayor and City Council on Monday. There was no discussion and no vote, according to the city’s recap of the Oct. 26 meeting. The full FY 2027 Proposed Budget is now on the city’s budget page. It covers Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2027.
The council turned down an operating increase only a month ago. In September it held the operating rate at 4.049 mills for 2026, after Mayor Mary Robichaux had proposed raising it. Our story on the 2026 rate has that vote.
The rate in the budget
The budget book says each mill raises about $7.3 million from homes and businesses. It gives three reasons for the extra mill:
- the fifth and final year of the move to a full-time fire department
- higher health insurance costs
- repairs to city buildings and equipment
The debt part of the rate stays at 1.183 mills, the level set in September. That pays the bonds voters approved in 2022.
The 6.232-mill figure is an estimate. The book says the council will set the final rate in 2027, after Fulton County delivers the tax digest. Bills at that rate would go out in fall 2027. One summary page in the book still describes a 5.232-mill projection. The revenue tables and the property tax chapter are built on 6.232 mills: they budget $37.0 million from current-year real property tax, up from $29.0 million in the 2026 budget.
What it would cost on a typical home
The city’s own example home is worth $575,000. Fulton County assesses it at 40%, or $230,000, so each mill costs that owner about $230 before exemptions.
| City tax rate | City portion of the bill |
|---|---|
| 2026 rate, 5.232 mills | $1,203 |
| 2027 proposal, 6.232 mills | $1,433 |
That is about $230 more a year, before homestead exemptions and holding the home’s value steady. The city’s part is about 16.3% of a Roswell resident’s total bill, the city has said. Fulton County Schools and Fulton County set the rest.
Where the money goes
The proposal totals about $227 million across all city funds, down from $230.4 million in the 2026 budget, the city said. The general fund, which pays for police, fire, parks and streets, grows from $107.9 million to $125.9 million in spending. Its revenue is budgeted at $116.7 million. The book says savings above the city’s required reserve pay for one-time capital costs.
The budget book lists these changes in the general fund:
- Frontline staff, $8.0 million more. That includes $2.8 million in higher health costs, $2 million for a full year of the merit raises given in April and $1.2 million for the last year of the fire transition.
- 30 more full-time firefighters. Part-time firefighter pay falls from $1.4 million to $0.5 million as the department finishes the switch.
- Buildings and equipment, $10.5 million. Of that, $8.5 million is capital for buildings, vehicles and equipment.
- Recreation fees held. A $1.49 million transfer from the general fund is meant to keep program fees from rising.
- No merit raise for 2027 yet. The book says a phased pay study adjustment of $559,516 would start in summer 2027.
Across all funds, the book puts police and the 911 center at about $38.3 million and fire at about $24.6 million. The Police Department plans to start buying a replacement for its dispatch system. The council accepted a $1 million federal grant for that system on Monday.
Road resurfacing gets $3.0 million from the current transportation sales tax, T-SPLOST 2, instead of the general fund. That tax ends partway through 2027. A new one, T-SPLOST 2026, is on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, ballot. The book says it would be added to the budget later if voters approve it. No new bonds are planned.
What happens next
The budget page lists these meetings. The city says the schedule may change.
- Friday, Nov. 6: council budget workshop, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Roswell Recreation Center
- Monday, Nov. 9: first reading, 7 p.m., City Hall, 38 Hill St. This is the public’s first chance to speak on the budget, the city said.
- Friday, Nov. 20: council budget workshop, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bill Johnson Community Activity Building
- Monday, Dec. 7: second reading and expected vote, 7 p.m., special called meeting
What it means for you
- Nothing changes on this year’s bill. The 2026 rate of 5.232 mills stands. A 2027 rate would be set next year.
- Read the proposal. The budget book is online, and a printed copy can be seen in the Finance Department at City Hall during business hours.
- Speak or write. Public comment opens at the 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, meeting. Questions can go to the budget office at budget@roswellgov.com.
- Check your exemptions. Homestead and senior exemptions lower the city bill. Details are on the city’s property tax page.
Have your say