SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Savannah City Council wrapped up its 2025 fiscal year budget discussions Wednesday after a six-hour-long meeting. The $602 million proposed budget marks a $42 million increase from last year, and while costs are rising, residents can rest easy knowing there are no planned tax rate increases. Mayor Van Johnson called the budget process a collaborative effort. "The presentation of a proposed budget is this conversation between staff and council that the world gets to see," he said. Woman says she was an hour late to husband’s funeral due to Savannah marathon road closures The budget promises improved services and investments aimed at enhancing residents’ lives. Here are some of the key highlights that could affect you: $6 million will be allocated to fixing public roads and sidewalks. $4.82 million is set aside for recreation improvements, including a new large-scale, inclusive playground at Daffin Park. "This playground will be a milestone project for what we call ‘Recreation Reimagined,’" Johnson shared. $6.2 million will go toward utility system upgrades, including modernizing water meters to improve customer experience. $1.9 million is dedicated to enhancing the city’s drainage system, addressing issues often caused by heavy rainfall. $1.4 million will bolster yard waste collection, ensuring crews can respond more quickly, especially after severe weather events like Hurricanes Helene and Debby. City Manager Jay Melder emphasized the focus on improving sanitation services, saying:"In previous budgets, we’ve made some serious investments. Sanitation has been one of our back-to-basics focuses." Additionally, funds are set aside for affordable housing initiatives and increased signing bonuses to attract and retain more police officers. City employees will also receive a pay raise as part of the budget. The full budget includes more details about city investments and plans. To see the entire document click or tap here.