Roswell Releases 2013 Proposed Budget, Retains Millage

Following an open forum fraught with disapproval of the recently released and the city's , Roswell presented its most updated version of the FY 2013 proposed budget, which maintains a 5.455 millage rate for the fifth year in a row.

That millage rate is slightly lower than the 5.750 mills in Alpharetta during FY 2011-2012. However, Roswell's millage rate is higher than Milton's 4.731 mills and Johns Creek's 4.614 mills of FY 2011-2012.

On its website, Roswell claims its high quality of services to residents and businesses make the millage rate one of the best values among cities of comparable size and service.

The city's FY 2013 proposed General Fund budget is $59,653,146. That includes the use of $2,133,624 from General Fund reserves. During FY 2012, the city used $6,247,700 of reserve funds.

Director of Strategic Planning & Budgeting Keith Lee told Mayor Jere Wood and the Roswell City Council that the FY 2013 proposed budget includes the following highlights:

• General Fund revenues of $57,519,522 - which is an expected  increase of $343,183 above FY 2012 revenues.
• Using General Fund reserves for one-time capital project funding, totalling $2,133,624 - to include: citywide resurfacing, Big Creek Greenway Repairs, ADA compliance of city facilities and police patrol vehicles for new officers, among other planned projects.
• City paid employee positions decrease from 608 employees in FY 2012 to 594 employees in FY 2013 - through staff consolidation and outsourcing in the administrative, community development and police departments, the city is able to save money.
• Addition of 10 police officers to the Roswell Police Department.

The city currently has $21,303,268 in its General Fund, which includes $13,466,141 by policy in reserves and $7,837,127 in reserves above policy. According to Lee, the proposed budget retains the city's current level of service and only uses General Fund reserves for one-time capital and specific maintenance capital.

The public can comment on the budget and view changes during two separate budget hearings, to be held May 14 and May 30 at 7 p.m. during scheduled meetings of the .

Get a better look at the FY 2013 proposed budget by clicking on the attached PDFs of what was presented Monday night.