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City Invites Residents to ‘Speak Out’ on FY26 Budget Priorities

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Monday, July 7th, 2025

The City of Savannah’s Office of Management and Budget has launched Speak Out Savannah, a public engagement initiative to gather input from residents on which priorities the City should focus on for the FY26 budget and to provide educational opportunities for residents to learn how the City’s budget is prepared.

The first of two in-person meetings will be held on July 12 at 11 a.m. at Savannah Technical College. The event will provide an opportunity for the public to discuss budget priorities with City staff and officials and learn how the budget works. Lunch will be provided.

A second Speak Out Savannah in-person meeting will be held on Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. at the JA Colonial Group Discovery Center.

A FY26 Budget Priorities Survey was launched in May and can be found at savannahga.gov/budgetsurvey. Staff will take input from the survey through Aug. 31. The survey seeks feedback on City Council priorities, satisfaction with current services provided by the City, preferences for taxes and fees, and gives space to provide ideas for cost savings or more efficient service delivery.

The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. Budget survey results will be compiled and used in the decision-making process for next year’s budget. Survey results will be shared in a data set with the public in the last quarter of 2025.

A paper copy of the survey and drop boxes to submit the survey are available for residents at all City Community Centers, the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center, the Coastal Georgia Regional Center, and six branches of the Live Oak Public Library system. A full list of locations with paper surveys and drop boxes can be found at //savannahga.gov/budget.
The City of Savannah operates on a fiscal year running from January 1 to December 31. By law, City Council must pass a balanced budget by the end of the calendar year. City staff work through the summer months to prepare a proposed budget ahead of November meetings on the proposed budget.
 
What: Speak Out Savannah Community Event
When: Saturday, July 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Where: Eckburg Auditorium, Savannah Technical College, 5717 White Bluff Rd.
 
What: Speak Out Savannah Community Event
When: Thursday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: JA Colonial Group Discovery Center, 11935 Abercorn St.