Kingsland adopts 2026-27 budget at rollback tax rate, sends impact fee plan to state review
The Kingsland City Council on Sept. 28 adopted the city's fiscal 2026-27 operating and capital budget on a 3-0 vote, with Councilwoman Kristy Chance, Councilman Farran Fullilove and Councilman Paul Chamberlin voting yes.
The budget is based on the rollback property tax rate of 5.381 mills. The city's tax digest grew 6.38%, with 1.68% from reassessments and 4.70% from new growth, according to the budget summary.
General Fund revenues are budgeted at $20,450,640, down from $21,236,663 in the current budget, and General Fund spending at $20,094,773, with a contingency of $355,867. The summary says revenues were budgeted conservatively based on current trends. Capital outlays across all funds total $39,977,198.
Employees will get a $1-an-hour pay scale increase in January and a $750 Christmas bonus, prorated for part-time and probationary staff. The budget recommends eight new positions and absorbs estimated increases of 10% in health insurance premiums and 11.2% in liability insurance. The police budget adds a criminal investigator position and converts a patrol position to sergeant.
Other notable items include $7,049,865 in parks and recreation capital spending, including a Lions Park renovation funded in part by county SPLOST money, and $21,294,753 in water and sewer capital projects.
Earlier in the evening, no one spoke at a public hearing on the city's draft Capital Improvements Element, the planning document required before a city can charge development impact fees. The council then voted 3-0 to send the draft to the Coastal Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review. The resolution does not adopt impact fees, set fee amounts or authorize the city to collect them.
The council also voted 3-0 to approve Ordinance 2026-08, an update to the city's stormwater rules that sets baseline requirements for managing runoff from development and redevelopment so new projects do not worsen flooding, erosion, drainage or water quality for neighboring property and public infrastructure.