Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller proposes $221M budget with no tax increase

Public safety would receive 57% of funding as leaders aim to keep property tax rates steady in Macon-Bibb County

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mayor Lester Miller is proposing a new budget for fiscal year 2027 that prioritizes public safety while keeping taxes steady.

The mayor presented a proposed budget of approximately $221 million on Tuesday. The plan includes increases in several key areas but does not raise the millage rate.

County leaders are aiming to keep the millage rate at about 9.5 the same as last year. The final rate will be determined later this summer once the tax digest is complete.

A major portion of the budget is dedicated to public safety. According to Miller, about 57 percent of the total budget would go toward services such as fire, the sheriff’s office, emergency management, and the courts.

Miller says those funding decisions reflect the community’s priorities.

“We’ve tightened up our belt,” he said. “This is a very lean budget, not a lot of increases at all. We realize in the current economic situation that we have in the state of Georgia and nationally that we’ve got to make sure that we plan. If you don’t plan on these things, you’re going to fail.”

A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for June 2 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.