The City of Dunwoody has recently released new revenue figures, indicating a financial position significantly healthier than what was expected. The city’s audit for the 2024 fiscal year revealed an addition of $3.5 million to Dunwoody’s reserves, as reported by Dunwoodyga.gov.
In the wake of this financial uptick, Mayor Lynn Deutsch, overseeing the constant growth of the city’s fiscal stability, shared, "Through careful planning, budgeting, and spending, we’ve added to the reserve every year since I became Mayor." Notably, these financial gains have been achieved without dipping into the reserves during the challenging times of the COVID pandemic and thereafter.
Projected revenues for the FY2025 indicate an increase by $1.26 million above the originally adopted budget. This increase is credited to an upward trend in various financial components such as the city’s tax digest, franchise fees, and business and occupation taxes. Consequently, the City Council, come next Monday's meeting, will be positioned to contemplate an amendment that would prevent the projected use of fund balance in the amount of $1.26 million for the current fiscal year.
By the tail end of FY2025, Dunwoody anticipates a fund balance sufficient enough to cover 10 months worth of expenditures, a figure sitting substantially higher than the four months required by the Charter. "I prefer six months to allow for the unexpected," added Mayor Deutsch, elucidating her predilection for a more cautious fiscal approach. In the end, the city projects an $11.8 million surplus above what is required for a six-month fund balance cushion.
Expressing satisfaction with Dunwoody's economic health, Mayor Deutsh told Dunwoodyga.gov, "I'm so pleased with our current financial picture and appreciate the hard work it has taken to reach this point." The mayor's sentiment reflects a stance that favors strategic foresight over mere reactionism as city officials commence planning for Dunwoody's future. The City Council will take these fiscal results into consideration during the upcoming FY2026 budget discussions this autumn.
