By Carl Perkins
The City of West Park’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 remains on hold after city commissioners failed to reach an agreement during a contentious budget workshop marked by sharp disagreements over taxes, spending cuts, and the city’s financial future.
The proposed budget covers the period from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
At the center of the debate was a proposal to reduce the city’s millage rate from 7.9 mills to 7.6 mills, a move supporters argued would leave more money in residents’ pockets. Opponents countered that reducing property tax revenues could ultimately require the city to increase fees for services.
Several residents addressed the commission during public comments, including former Mayor Eric Jones, who strongly opposed lowering the millage rate.
“If you don’t pay it in taxes, you’ll pay it in fees,” Jones told commissioners. “That’s not really helping residents.”
Following extensive discussion and public input, commissioners failed to support reducing the millage rate. As a result, the current rate of 7.9 mills remains in place.
The five-member commission consists of Mayor Felicia Brunson, Vice Mayor Joyce Smith, Commissioner Cristina Eveillard, Commissioner Brandon Smith, and Commissioner Dr. Katrina Touchstone.
Heated Exchange Opens Meeting
The meeting began with a heated exchange between former Mayor Eric Jones and Commissioner Touchstone regarding proposed salary reductions and the effort to lower the millage rate. The disagreement set the tone for an evening dominated by debate over government spending and fiscal responsibility.
Throughout the meeting, commissioners repeatedly sought greater transparency from City Manager W. Ajibola Balogun regarding city expenditures and requested detailed explanations of how to reduce approximately $200,000 from the proposed budget.
Balogun explained that West Park operates with approximately 30 city employees while providing services that would traditionally require a much larger workforce. He said the city achieves those efficiencies by contracting many services to private companies, particularly within the building department and portions of public works.
According to the city manager, outsourcing services reduces costs associated with employee benefits, insurance, vehicles, equipment, and facility expenses.
Commissioners also discussed the potential financial impact of Proposition 3, which is expected to appear on the November ballot. Members expressed concern that if the measure passes, West Park could face additional financial pressures in future years.
Despite differing opinions on how to address the budget shortfall, commissioners generally agreed that relying on reserve funds would not be a sound long-term financial strategy. Concerns were raised about the city’s limited tax base and lack of major commercial development needed to generate additional revenue.
Proposal to Eliminate Positions Sparks Controversy
As discussions turned toward possible spending reductions, several commissioners advocated eliminating positions and departments they considered ineffective or unproductive.
Commissioner Dr. Katrina Touchstone introduced a motion to remove funding from certain positions and departments she described as nonproductive. Vice Mayor Joyce Smith seconded the motion. Supporters argued the proposed reductions could save more than $200,000, enough to close the budget gap without increasing taxes or depleting reserve funds.
However, the debate took a dramatic turn when Mayor Felicia Brunson declined to call the motion for a vote stating that the city manager was the one who could defund. Which sparked a direct rebut from Commissioner Touchstone that the mayor was not following parliamentary procedure, and The City Charter was not run by a dictator, but by the City Charter. The mayor in turn called on the City Attorney for clarity. NO VOTE.
Commissioner Touchstone argued that the motion was a budget matter and should have been placed before the full commission for consideration. According to Touchstone, the issue was not personnel management and that the City Charter gives the commission authority over appropriations and expenditures.
The City of West Park Charter, established under Chapter 2004-454, House Bill 1491, designates the City Commission as the governing body of the municipality and grants it authority over budget adoption, budget amendments, and the allocation of public funds.
The specific clause to defund is Section 4(4) which states the commission has authority over budget requirements for adoption and defunding. Simply put the Commission controls the money, the City Manager Controls the hiring. So, if the Commission removes funding for “Assistant City Manager” the City Manager cannot legally hire for that role. This is the intended separation of power in the City Charter.
West Park City Charter –Section 4 Legislative gives the City Commission full authority to adopt, amend or restrict the city budget. Job positions only exist if they are funded.
“In other words, defunding, eliminating funds from a position according to Section 4(4) is in the Commissions’ power to do so.” Citizen Dr. Marchahal Jenkins believes had parliamentary procedures been used on Commissioner Touchstone’s’ motion to defund, that West Park would be closer to settling one of the budget woes of the city.
There was no vote on the 2026/2027 budget at the adjournment of the Budget Hearing.
This article originated from the City of West Park Commission Budget Hearing September 30, 2026 By Carl Perkins