Brookhaven Proposes Higher Spending, Steady Operating Tax Rate for 2027

Brookhaven is proposing a $45.6 million General Fund budget for 2027, a 6.7% increase over the adopted 2026 budget, while keeping its operating property-tax rate at 3.85 mills.

A separate $6.2 million capital budget would put $2 million toward pavement management and continue work on sidewalks, a roundabout and the Peachtree Creek Greenway. Residents will have opportunities to weigh in before the City Council considers adopting the budget on Nov. 17.

The operating proposal includes funding for employee compensation and benefits, public safety and 911 dispatch services. The unchanged operating rate is part of the proposal; it does not guarantee that every homeowner’s total property-tax bill will remain the same.

Roads, sidewalks and the Greenway

The capital plan includes continued funding to fill gaps in the sidewalk network and improve accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also calls for moving the Windsor/Ashford Dunwoody Road roundabout into construction procurement and continuing the replacement of street signs citywide.

For the Peachtree Creek Greenway, the proposal includes construction procurement for Phase II and design work for Phase III. Design and engineering would also continue for the Peachtree Creek Connector Bridge. Those steps advance the projects but do not establish opening dates.

The council took a separate step on Greenway Phase II at its Oct. 27 meeting, authorizing the acquisition of temporary and permanent easements at 2021 N. Druid Hills Road to help complete the project.

At that meeting, council members also approved $490,000 in design and related work for two drainage projects: $330,000 to Dewberry Engineers for replacement of the Dresden Drive culvert near Thompson Road, and $160,000 to RK&K for repairs to the Duke Road culvert outfall and streambank. Those approvals cover preparation for the projects, rather than construction contracts.

How residents can weigh in

The City Council will hold budget hearings at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Tuesday, Nov. 17, at City Centre, 4001 Peachtree Road NE. Virtual participation will be available. Adoption is scheduled for consideration after the Nov. 17 hearing.

Several district meetings will also give residents a chance to discuss the proposal:

• Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6:30–8 p.m.: Mayor Pro Tempore John Funny’s District 4 town hall at the Planning, Engineering and Permitting Building, 2665 Buford Highway. A Zoom option is available.
• Monday, Nov. 2, 6–7 p.m.: Councilmember Madeleine Simmons’ “Mondays With Madeleine” meeting at City Centre.
• Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6–7 p.m.: The District 2 community meeting at City Centre.

Residents can send questions and recommendations to 2027Budget@BrookhavenGA.gov. Free printed copies of the city’s 24-page Budget in Brief summary are available at city facilities.