The Eatonton City Council met Monday, Aug. 17, and approved a $9.94 million budget for the coming fiscal year. Additionally, the council approved a final plat for an 85-unit townhome development, among several other project-related measures.
The 2027 fiscal year budget, which runs Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, includes approximately $6.89 million in general fund expenditures, $2.98 million for the public gas utility, $42,000 in hotel-motel tax funds, and $30,100 in confiscated funds.
City Administrator Gary Sanders said the proposed budget maintains relatively modest growth in the general fund while anticipating significant additional revenue from new industrial gas users.
“The general fund increased by roughly two-and-a-half to 3%,” Sanders said.
“The largest share of the increase is the gas fund,” which is projected to grow about 32%, he added.
The council approved the budget after Sanders noted it represents a balanced budget, as required by state law. Mayor John Reid also reflected on how much the city’s budget has grown in recent years.
“It wasn’t long ago when our budget was $6 million, and that was gas and everything,” Reid said. “So even for our city … inflation is really out of hand.”
The council also gave final approval to the Woodlands Townhomes development at 775 Monticello Rd. The project involves approximately 26 acres and calls for 85 units on property zoned R-3.
Sanders explained that construction traffic had been a concern during the review process, particularly regarding the development’s interior roads. However, he added the developer told Eatonton’s Planning and Zoning Commission that any necessary repairs would be completed before the roads are turned over to the city once construction is completed.
Sanders also told the council that the city’s P&Z commission unanimously recommended approval following its Aug. 10 meeting. The developer said construction could begin on three or four buildings by the end of this year, but the overall completion schedule will depend on how quickly the initial homes are sold.
No one present raised any opposition, and the council unanimously approved the final plat.
The council also approved a contract with the Area Agency on Aging for the 2027 fiscal year to continue funding senior meals and services through the city’s senior center. Sanders said the annual agreement provides funding for Meals on Wheels and congregate meals (free or low-cost group lunches), with any changes in funding levels handled through amendments during the contract’s duration.
A change-order package for an East Marion Street and North Maple Avenue stormwater project also won approval. Sanders said six change orders were needed to account for water and sewer work, a driveway cut not included in the original plans, removal of a problematic curbing island, and final quantities installed.
Still, even with multiple changes, Sanders added the project is expected to be completed for less than the original contract amount. He explained the original contract was for approximately $2.879 million, while the final cost will be about $2.815 million.
“So we saved about $60,000 over the course of the project,” he said. “The project came in under budget.”
The council also approved a request to close city streets for the annual Swamp Stomp 5K and 4K foot races, scheduled for Oct. 4 this year.
During department reports, a pre-construction meeting for the city’s new municipal building project was scheduled for Tuesday morning at City Hall (past press time), where a notice to proceed would be issued. Ward 4 Councilmember Teresa Doster said revisions were being made to the project plans and would be released once finalized.
The Eatonton council will meet next at 7 p.m., Sept. 1, in Room 203 at the Putnam County Administration Building.