Weeks after the public budget proposal from Mayor Andre Dickens (and the highly contentious vote on the Public Safety Training Facility), the Atlanta City Council has passed the largest budget in the city’s history. The budget was framed by the Dickens administration narrative of Moving Atlanta Forward and its four pillars of One Safe City, A City of Opportunity for All, A City Built for the Future and Effective & Ethical Government.
“Now is the time to double down on the progress we have made to Move Atlanta Forward by investing in our future—making sure Atlanta is the best place in the nation to raise a child,” said Mayor Dickens. “We are increasing our investments in people while still retaining the largest reserves in our city and strong credit ratings. Thank you to the Finance Team and my Executive Team for their hard work on this budget and thank you to City Council for their partnership in ensuring Atlanta remains equitable, resilient and competitive on the global stage.”
Safety has been among the biggest concerns for citizens and for the Dickens’ administration and was listed at the top in the announcement from City Hall. Notably, the investments in this budget are not necessarily ground-breaking new innovative strategies, rather further investment in ongoing plans including: $6.2 million for new vehicles and equipment for police and fire personnel, including an expansion of the take-home car program; investments in 911 technology, and; increased investments in security cameras.
Councilman Dustin Hillis from District 9 in northwest Atlanta focused his enthusiasm on the budget’s attention to the city’s park system. “Glad to have passed the City of Atlanta FY24 Budget. Even prouder that it included the city’s largest year-over-year commitment to our parks, rec centers, & trails, with a $16M increase for maintenance, capital projects and safety/security,” said Hillis. “Much thanks to my council colleagues, Mayor Dickens, and our many parks advocates – lead by Park Pride. Looking forward to seeing the Parks and Recreation maintenance plan to bring our parks, rec centers, and trails to where they need to be.”
In the “Opportunity for All” category, the city dedicated more money to expand youth centers, as well as summer youth employment and parks and recreation programming. There was also $8 million dedicated to the affordable housing trust fund, more than 15 percent higher than last year’s allocation.
Jason Dozier, from the west side’s rapidly developing District 4, focused on housing. “I’m proud of this budget. Atlanta has accrued the highest reserves in City history, we maintain superior credit ratings, and we now have an uncommitted fund balance of more than $240M. But I’m even prouder to advance the work of making housing a budget priority. It’s now or never.”
The announcement from the mayor also noted that combined with the aviation and watershed budgets, the city will have a $2.5 billion direct economic impact in the next fiscal year.
