Mayor’s first budget comes in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, but mitigates cuts through prudent planning.
Dunwoody, GA – August 31, 2020 – Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch and City Manager Eric Linton transmitted the proposed 2021 Budget for the City of Dunwoody to the full Council today, as required by the City’s Charter.
“There is little doubt that this budget was probably the hardest one put together by the City since its incorporation,” said Mayor Deutsch. “The financial pragmatism of this Council and prior Councils has helped us to develop a sound budget proposal despite all that is going on.”
The proposed General Fund operating budget is a 4.1% reduction from the original 2020 levels. This budget, in conjunction with the 2020 midyear budget adjustments, uses the City’s rainy day fund over two years to reduce further cuts to departments like Parks, Police, and Public Works.
“Revenue looks more like 2011, than what we would have expected in 2021,” said City Manager Eric Linton. “Reductions occurred in almost every department; however, reductions were done through an internal line-by-line review process and not by across-the-board cuts.”
This 2021 budget keeps the effective tax rate for a Dunwoody homeowner at a level that’s still one of the lowest around at 1.740 mills, $286 in city taxes on a $450,000 house. That amounts to less than a dollar a day. Deeper cuts in basic services would have been necessary if not for the City’s fund balance.
“This budget, while balanced, is done through the reserves. That is what they are there for – to help when disaster hits,” Mayor Deutsch added. “However, this budget is the warning sign that our revenue base is fragile. Moving forward, the City Council and I will continue monitoring the situation and studying options.”
The budget is now in the hands of the City’s Budget Committee, which is currently scheduled to meet on September 9 and 10. The City Council will have a hearing on the budget on October 12, with passage scheduled for October 26. A hard copy of the proposed budget is available in the Finance Department at Dunwoody City Hall during current operating hours. It’s also available on the City of Dunwoody website under the Finance Department tab.