Milton's City Council recently laid eyes on the next fiscal year's budget proposals, which include plans to increase the presence of school liaison officers and to convert outsourced IT roles to in-house positions. During a recent council meeting, the proposed initiatives for FY2026, which spans October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, were discussed, with public feedback to be invited at future meetings. City staff members, such as Deputy City Manager Bernadette Harvill, are slated to break down the budget in focused sections at these upcoming gatherings, according to the official city announcement.
Information Services Director Ashley Smith proposed the move to bring two IT professionals in-house, suggesting the change could "save Milton money" and improve overall departmental operations. As part of the effort to bolster school safety and community relations, Police Chief Jason Griffin highlighted the need to potentially add two more school liaison officers to the current roster to improve coverage for the area's educational institutions. Mayor Peyton Jamison shared that a Fulton County Schools board member is "very excited" about the expansion of the program, with councilmember Doug Hene expressing pride in the city's leadership on the issue, according to the same news release.
The aforementioned budget discourse was part of a session that also secured unanimous support for arts and athletics programs. The council approved partnerships with various local entities to sustain recreational activities, from youth art classes with KidCreate Studio to tennis lessons at the Milton Tennis Center. These activities seem to be secured for the foreseeable future, bolstering the city's commitment to fostering community engagement through such programs.
In an action to preserve local green space, the council also agreed unanimously to move $4.9 million from the Greenspace Bond Fund to the Capital Projects Fund. The adjustment allows the city to pivot and use the funds for other projects while officially cementing the protection of 39 acres off Hopewell Road as city greenspace. Mayor Jamison reflected on the successful preservation efforts, praising the initiative as a significant achievement for community spaces and athletic program needs. The council is expected to reconvene for a regular meeting on August 4, the Milton City website noted.
