City Delivers Balanced Budget
The City of Valdosta Fiscal Year 2022 Budget was approved by the Mayor and City Council at the June 10 City Council meeting. The budget was presented to the Council as a balanced budget, as required by the City Charter. Most importantly it was delivered with no proposed property tax increase at this time.
Council approved the $124 million budget following a four-hour presentation during the June 2nd public hearing. The document specifically outlines the revenues and expenditures for FY 2022, and city leaders have carefully weighed every decision based upon expected revenue flow and assessment of need-based expenditures.
“The City of Valdosta continues to operate in a fiscally responsible manner. We are continuing to provide top-level municipal services to our residents and businesses,” said City Manager Mark Barber. “The budget is a true team effort and could not have been successfully assembled without the efforts of Department Directors and our strong budget staff. It’s important for the City to focus as much as we can on community needs and the Council’s strategic goals.”
Valdosta, along with other governments across the state and nation, is still experiencing a significant lag in sales tax and other revenue sources that once provided steady and dependable means to funding city services prior to the economic downturn in 2008. While the cost of doing business and the demands for services have not decreased, some of the city’s largest sources of revenue – such as the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) have decreased. The city still relies heavily on LOST as well as the Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) which is used for capital projects.
Nevertheless, Valdosta continues to have one of the lowest millage and utility rates among peer cities in the state.
The FY 2022 budget increased operating expenses by 6% which represents an investment in needed equipment, vehicles, and added staff positions. The FY 2022 budget includes a 12% decrease in Capital Expenditures and a 25% decrease in Debt Services.
The budget includes systematic vehicle replacement for city departments, a three percent cost of living increase for city employees, and six new positions including four police officers and two Utilities Central Lines Technicians. These increases are partially offset by smaller cuts across the city.
“The City of Valdosta has managed its finances through the slowly recovering economy in a measured and responsible way, while maintaining – and even in some cases, increasing – our delivery of services,” said Mayor Scott Matheson. “We will remain vigilant, and we are optimistic about future growth and the economic health and vibrancy of the city.”
The FY 2022 Valdosta Budget provides the necessary resources to ensure the city is operated in a fiscally responsible manner. It ensures the city can provide the necessary services for the needs of the city and its citizens – something City Manager Mark Barber and Mayor Scott Matheson credit to the guidance and direction provided by the elected officials of the city and the outstanding work of the city department heads, finance, budget staff, and the entire city workforce.
The City of Valdosta FY 2022 budget is effective July 1, 2021.