The Cartersville city budget will increase 6.5 percent, $25 million, according to the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The proposed budget was presented for a first reading during the Cartersville City Council meeting Thursday night.
Final approval will be at the next meeting June 18.
The new budget will be approximately $408 million, compared to $383.2 for the current fiscal year. Officials stated some of the increase is to accommodate capital outlay expenses and four new full-time employees.
There will not be a property tax increase, according to officials. However, there will be increases to power and water use. The administrative service charge will increase on all electric bills, making the base rate $2.50. The council heard a first reading of a 2026-27 water-sewer ordinance that increases bills for all customers an estimated 5 percent. Officials state that amounts to 17 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used. The average water and sewer customer using 7,000 gallons monthly can expect to pay an additional $2.66, according to officials.
In other business the council approved:
A right-of-way agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Douthit Ferry Road widening project. The project is expected to start October 2028 and be finished in early 2029. It is paid for with special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) money.
A two-year renewal contract with Clearview AI for facial recognition software used by the police department. The cost is $29,020.
The purchase of two buildings at 4 Cook Street storage.
A resolution for a grant to pay for video surveillance equipment in priority areas to reduce crime. Officials said that will include downtown but also other areas around the city.
Numerous zoning measures for Douglas Street, Old Mill Road, S. Dixie Avenue, Nelson Street and East Leak Street.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.