Dalton Gardens moves ahead with 2025 budget

The Dalton Gardens City Council is reviewing a proposed budget of approximately $1.6 million for the 2025 fiscal year, comparable to the $1.7 million budget for fiscal year 2024.

Carryover funds from the previous year totaled $85,905, including allocations for the Deerhaven Avenue patching and chip seal roadwork.

Councilmember Sue Supp, who presented the 2025 project budget based on past figures, emphasized fiscal responsibility. In a previous council meeting this summer, Supp said, "When we're doing our budget, we're promising we're going to be good stewards, and this is how we think it's going to look."

The city retains about $450,964 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the FY 2025 budget. Supp noted that city expenses have remained relatively stable. ARPA funds must be allocated to projects by December 2024 and used in 2025.

Council members debated the distinction between improvements and maintenance to ensure projects meet ARPA requirements. 

"If you're looking at a piece of critical infrastructure that is being upgraded, not maintained, then you may be able to use ARPA," Councilmember Tyler Dreschel said.

The budget allocates $434,710 for street maintenance, $36,300 for park maintenance and $170,940 for law enforcement.

The council unanimously approved the tentative 2025 FY budget Aug. 1. A public hearing to present the final budget figures is planned for later this month.

Supp expressed hope that the budget process has resulted in clear final figures to be shared with the public at the upcoming hearing.