Cumming unveils 2017 budget

Cumming will host a public comment discussion on its proposed 2017 budget next month.

Cumming will host a public comment discussion on its proposed 2017 budget next month.

The Cumming City Council has set a Dec. 6 public hearing on the city’s proposed 2017 proposed budget unveiled recently.

The general fund portion totals $13,876,500, up $355,000 from 2016’s $13,521,500. Most budget categories — such as administrative, planning and zoning and parks and recreation — are poised to rise. One exception is the police department budget, which will drop by nearly $100,000 because the city is breaking out municipal court operations as a separate department.

The capital improvements portion will decline steeply because of the completion of such projects as the makeover of City Park and the creation of Lanier 400 Parkway. Also tucked into the budget is a 4 percent cost-of-living raise for city employees.

The public can weigh in at a 5 p.m. hearing Dec. 6 at Cumming City Hall, 100 Main St. Adoption is set for Dec. 20.