City of Roswell Special Called Public Hearing on 2026 Millage Rate - September 21, 2026

The meeting was a public hearing convened by Mayor Mary Robishot and the Roswell City Council to gather public input on a proposed millage rate of 5.9 mills for tax year 2026. The meeting began at 6 p.m. and included a detailed presentation by Finance Director Adam Navorty on $18 million in capital needs, followed by council discussion and 31 public comments. The final vote on the millage rate is scheduled for September 28, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stefan Lewis (Roswell resident, veteran): Expressed strong opposition, stating the increase is a “crushing tax burden” and urged council to listen to residents.
• Gary Boss (20-year resident): Requested a better budget process and opposed the increase, noting burden on retired individuals.
• Carmel Sardone (resident): Argued the city has excess reserves ($21 million above the mandated 25% reserve) and called the proposed 19.2% permanent hike unnecessary; stated the true critical needs are $16 million after accounting for double-counted buffers.
• Mark Portera (12-year resident): Emphasized the vote is only for 2026 millage rate, not 2027 budget; questioned the legal requirement for the bond millage increase; noted the roof repair estimate rose from $700,000 to $1 million in one week.
• Joe Durso (40+ year resident): Asked about zero-based budgeting, questioned justification for large increase given new construction and increased property values, and suggested scrutinizing contracts and P-cards.
• Mary Bostwick (30-year resident): Urged prioritizing needs, financing options, and growing business tax base before burdening homeowners; asked for a tax break for seniors 70+.
• Katie Benson: Accused the mayor of breaking a campaign promise to make Roswell affordable; opposed the increase.
• Matt Rowenzak: Called the initial 56% increase “tone deaf”; noted revenue is at or above expenses for 2026, so no increase is justified; urged keeping millage flat or allowing only the bond debt increase.
• Roman Pierzak: Opposed the high increase but suggested a small adjustment is acceptable to avoid a larger hike later; noted property values have already driven up taxes.
• Dave Woodrow: Criticized lack of transparency and collaboration with council; stated the city is not in crisis; argued the increase should be discussed as part of the 2027 budget, not for 2026.
• Travis Roth (born and raised in Roswell): Expressed concern for senior citizens and his in-laws who left California due to high taxes; opposed permanent tax increase; preferred funding specific projects through bonds rather than a vague millage increase.
• Areta Pereira (30-year resident): Called the debate “asinine” for conflating 2026 and 2027 budgets; demanded no increase for 2026; quoted the Georgia Bill of Rights to remind council of their duty to the people.
• Lee Holesworth: Asked the council to finish the 2026 budget process without distraction.
• Claire Snedeker: Noted the city projects a $5 million surplus and has $40.6 million in unrestricted fund balance; argued no tax increase is justified for the 2026 budget; said the $18 million list belongs to the 2027 budget process.
• Michael Tomprose: Criticized the council for wasting time with internal questions and for manufacturing emergencies.
• Tracy Palma Duran (project manager): Demanded transparency on the true unrestricted fund balance (net of pending items); said the city should cut spending, not raise taxes.
• George Eloquin: Questioned the calculation of the 5.9 millage rate – why not 5.7 or 5.5? Criticized the attempt to set revenue before the 2027 budget is presented (October 13). Noted national affordability crisis and rising costs for residents.
• Jim Walsh: Thanked council members opposing the increase; questioned why zero-based budgeting was abandoned; called the capital list a “wish list” and suggested council should forgo their salaries as an example.
• Maria Gaudio: Linked the millage increase to broader Fulton County tax increases; criticized high city salaries ($242,000 for the city administrator) while asking residents for more.
• Chris Dora (CFP and auto mechanic): Questioned the fleet replacement plan, saying $3.2 million is excessive; a proper inspection and repair would cost far less.
• Rich Moon: Noted property taxes already rose due to assessment increases; said “hard choices” are residents struggling to buy groceries, not between budget projects; asked if council would delay the vote; stated it is possible to balance the budget without a tax increase.
• Jason Yowell: Accused the city of pushing 2027 capital needs into 2026 to justify an increase; questioned the $2.5 million obligation to ARC for the Gateway project; said the city has the authority to require GDOT to pay for utility relocation; called the process a “money grab.”
• Courtney Rosier (supporter of the increase): Supported normalizing the M&O rate to 4.718 mills (returning to 2022 level); argued that cuts in previous years have led to $12 million in forgone revenue, contributing to deferred maintenance; requested monthly payment options for residents without escrow and more information on senior exemptions.
• Richard Arena: Criticized past administrations for pushing tall buildings; said staff has contempt for residents; noted top 20 staff salaries (with benefits) exceed $200,000 each, while lower-level workers are underpaid.
• Barney Zit Vogel (new resident): Confused by the budget process; requested a full picture of revenue and expenditures before a millage decision; opposed raising the 2026 rate.
• John Evans: Stated the discussion has been about future spending, but the real question is whether the current millage covers the 2026 budget; argued it does, so no increase is needed.
• State Representative Scott Hilton (representing part of Roswell): Opposed the increase, noting Peachtree Corners (his city) has a zero millage rate; shared a story of a senior struggling with property taxes; highlighted state tax relief efforts (rebate, senior exemption, assessment caps); warned the legislature has stepped in when local councils are “out of control.”
• Dillo Rajou: Asked if the adopted 2026 budget of $229 million requires an M&O rate above 4.049 mills; answered that it does not, so he cannot support any increase beyond that plus the bond component.
• William Reese (22-year resident): Questioned raising taxes when people are already struggling to buy new cars; asked council to consider that before voting.

Discussion Items

• Capital Needs Presentation: Finance Director Adam Navorty presented a list of 26 capital items totaling approximately $18 million, including road resurfacing ($3M), Historic Gateway project ($3M), IT firewall replacement ($55K), police laptops ($50K), health insurance ($1M), elections ($100K-$1.2M), fleet replacement ($3.973M), dredging assistance ($325K), building maintenance ($4.9M), fire transition ($1.2M), fire pumper ($1.4M), signal pole replacements ($400K), ADA transition plan ($1M), ballistic vests ($? unspecified), park maintenance ($378K), facility security ($57K), Crab Apple Drive entrance design ($80K), comprehensive plan housing study ($250K), police rifles ($110K), and $2M in capital reserve funds. Staff detailed risks of deferring each item.
• Council Discussion: Council members debated the merits of raising the millage rate for 2026 versus waiting for the 2027 budget process.
  • Councilmember Alan Sells opposed the increase, calling the capital list “obfuscation” and a “slush fund.” He noted the city has $40.6 million in unrestricted reserves and a $5 million projected surplus; argued the increase is not needed for 2026 and should be part of the 2027 budget discussion.
  • Councilmember Christine Hall supported keeping the current millage rate, stating the 2026 budget is on track and that the 2027 millage rate will be determined in September 2027 after proper budget hearings.
  • Councilmember Sarah Beeson supported the increase, arguing the capital items were deferred from FY25 and are now critical; emphasized that capital expenses cannot be paid after the fact with reserves that include carry-forwards and encumbrances; challenged opponents to identify which capital items they would cut.
  • Councilmember Jennifer Philippi raised concerns about the 2027 budget outlook, noting declining sales tax revenue (post-FIFA) and lower vehicle tax revenue; questioned whether postponing the 2026 decision would provide time to preview the 2027 budget.
  • Councilmember Aaron Brumley reminded that bonds are loans that must be repaid; cautioned that using bonds to mask millage increases is unsustainable.
  • Councilmember Chris Zach acknowledged many council members have not made a final decision on the increase; urged residents to express their views.
  • Mayor Robishot defended the proposal as necessary to address deferred needs (e.g., roof repairs escalated from 2017 estimate of $1.3M to current $6-8M); noted the city’s tax digest declined this year and that economic development revenues will not materialize until 2028.
• Discussion on Delaying the Vote: Councilmember Philippi proposed postponing the final vote to October 13 to coincide with the 2027 budget preview. City Attorney Joe stated it is legally possible but requires re-advertising and leaves no margin for error to meet bill collection deadlines. Councilmember Hall and others opposed the delay, preferring to vote on September 28 as scheduled. No motion was made.

Key Outcomes

• No vote was taken; the meeting was a public hearing to gather input.
• The final vote on the 2026 millage rate is scheduled for a special called meeting on September 28, 2026.
• The city will proceed with the second reading and potential adoption of the millage rate (proposed at 5.9 mills, down from an initial 7.732 mills) at that time.
• The 2027 budget will be presented on October 13, 2026, with budget discussions to follow.