Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens released his proposed budget this week. The $790 million General Fund budget is the largest in the city’s history. Combined with the spending on aviation and watershed and other funds that do not qualify as a General Fund, the city spending adds up to nearly $2.5 billion.
“Our ability to invest so deeply in Atlanta is a testament to the City’s fiscal condition. Thanks to strong stewardship, we have accrued the highest reserves in City history and have achieved superior credit ratings,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “Our commitment to strong fiscal stewardship continues with this budget. This balanced budget allows us to make all of these investments and more without proposing an increase to property tax millage rates.”
At a whopping 638 pages in PDF form, the budget proposal might be the largest ever as well. If you want to know a fact about the City of Atlanta, chances are it is in there: economic and demographic information, economic outlook and revenue forecast summary are just a part of the document that are not directly new budget proposals.
Among a number of interesting items in the budget is the breakdown by department in city spending. After the crime concerns over the past few years, some might be surprised to learn that the Police Department budget is more than twice that of any other department at $247 million. That number would be a nearly $12 million increase from last year, which was itself a $7 million increase from the year before. If the $247 million is adopted as a final number, it would be a more than $25 million increase in funding for the police since 2021. The Fire Department comes in next at $109 million, just a $2 million increase from last year. Among the increases for the police and fire is $6.2 million dedicated to purchasing vehicles and equipment, including an expansion of the take-home car program that helps to recruit and retain officers.
Dickens is making his “Year of the Youth” pledge plain in his budget proposal. In an effort to engage Atlanta’s kids before they look elsewhere for entertainment, Dickens is proposing $1.8 million for youth centers, $2 million in youth programming for the Department of Parks and Recreation, $2.5 million for summer youth employment, in addition to other youth investments.
Some of the numbers might seem impressive, and should not be discounted, but the $10 million for capital improvements – considering a report last year that one firehouse replacement was “approaching $16 million” – may not go as far as many hope. An additional $8 million dedicated to the affordable housing trust fund represents an increase of more than 15 percent from last year. That may be able to go further because much of that will be supplemental and is likely more direct rent or mortgage payments than construction related.
“This budget is our statement of intent to double down on the progress we have made and our commitment to making Atlanta the best place in the nation to raise a child,” said Dickens. “In a city with the potential of ours, we can and should make all of the critical investments necessary to ensure that residents across Atlanta benefit from best-in-class service delivery in a safe environment focused on inclusive prosperity.”
If you have the time, or are looking for something specific, you can peruse the full budget here:
https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/59001/638183003461870000
