Marietta Seeks Public Input on 2012 Budget

The city of Marietta has opened its recommended budget for fiscal year 2012, which begins July 1, up to public input. To that end, a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at .

Marietta's budget, which funds the day-to-day operations of the city, includes police and fire services, parks and recreation programs, streets and public works maintenance. The city manager's recommended budget for the upcoming fiscal year is balanced one and will not rely on the use of reserve accounts. The budget also has no service reductions, no tax increases and no employee layoffs or furloughs.

The general fund budget is $47.5 million, while the total of all city funds is a little more than $270 million. The city currently maintains an undesignated reserve balance of about $12 million. City budget officials say the city can expect to close the current fiscal year on June 30 with a positive balance of $300,000 due to cuts city departments made in the middle of the year to save money.

In addition, the city reduced the amount of equipment purchased this year and had savings from a three-year hiring freeze that has included 40 open positions that have not been filled.

Marietta residents can review the budget at 4 p.m. After a presentation on the budget elements, citizens will have up to 15 minutes per person to ask questions about the budget. The meeting will be held in the City Council chamber at City Hall. The Marietta City Council will consider the budget for approval at its meeting at 7 p.m. on June 8.

For information, contact Marietta's Budget Division at 770-794-5538.