Savannah residents had the opportunity to express their views on how the city should allocate funds in planning for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. An open discussion, facilitated by city officials and the budget team, allowed citizens to provide feedback and pose questions regarding the proposed financial plan.
Interim Chief Operating Officer of Management and Budget, Melissa Carter, emphasized the importance of community input. “We really do need to hear the things that we need to consider and develop in the $603 million plus budget,” Carter stated. This engagement is part of the city’s effort to incorporate public concerns into the budget formulation process.
Participants raised various issues, with some focusing on stormwater management and drainage, while others highlighted public safety and living costs as their primary concerns. “We’re a very diverse community and everyone is impacted in a certain specific way,” Carter added, underscoring the importance of understanding the broad range of citizen perspectives.
Feedback Shapes Budget Development
City officials indicated that the insights gathered from these discussions and from an online survey would significantly influence the final budget proposal. Once the proposal is prepared, residents will have another chance to voice their concerns during a city council budget retreat.
Interim Senior Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Sancia Joseph-Jarvis, noted that the city is adopting a similar strategy to last year’s budget process. “We will have a section dedicated to the information that we got in the survey, the information that we got from our budget simulations, and how our budget formulates around that information that we receive as citizens,” Joseph-Jarvis explained.
The online survey, which is open until August 31, invites residents to share their thoughts. Paper copies of the survey are also available at community centers and city libraries, ensuring broader access for all residents wishing to contribute to the budget discussion.
Through these initiatives, Savannah aims to create a budget that reflects the needs and priorities of its diverse community, fostering a collaborative approach to local governance.
