ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council has approved a historic budget for fiscal year 2024. This landmark budget reflects the city's commitment to advancing equity, public safety, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
“This budget shows our commitment to significant investments in our community and in our employees as we continue toward our collective mission of making Atlanta a City of Opportunity for All,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said.
The budget distributes $853.8 million to the general fund, $1.5 billion to enterprise funds, and $352.5 million to other funds.
Key highlights
- Employee Raises and Benefits: City employees will receive a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment, ensuring their wages keep pace with inflation. Additionally, the budget allocates $10 million for public safety personnel raises, aiming to attract and retain top talent in police, fire, and emergency services.
- Public Safety: A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to enhancing public safety. The city plans to invest in new technology, training, and equipment for first responders. This includes funding for body-worn cameras, de-escalation training, and upgraded emergency response systems.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Atlanta's infrastructure will receive substantial upgrades with a $100 million allocation. This includes repairs and improvements to roads, bridges, and public transportation systems. The budget also supports the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.
- Affordable Housing: The budget includes $50 million for affordable housing projects to address the city's affordable housing crisis. This funding will support the construction and renovation of affordable housing units, providing relief to low—and middle-income families.
- Environmental Sustainability: The budget commits $20 million to environmental initiatives, including expanding the city’s green spaces and sustainability programs. This includes investments in renewable energy projects, waste reduction programs, and urban forestry initiatives.
- Community and Youth Programs: Recognizing the importance of community development, the budget allocates $30 million for community and youth programs. This includes funding for after-school programs, job training initiatives, and recreational facilities.
- Arts and Culture: The budget supports Atlanta’s vibrant arts scene with a $15 million investment in arts and cultural programs. This funding will enhance public art installations, support local artists, and promote cultural events throughout the city.
“We know that Atlanta has great influence on a global scale, from housing the world’s busiest and most efficient airport to our innovation in housing solutions, and this budget shows that we are working to ensure all residents have access to critical resources in our city.," Dickens said. "Thank you to members of the Administration in putting the thought and intent into this budget that the people of Atlanta deserve, and thank you to City Council for their support and their unanimous approval of this historic budget.”
Dickens said the budget was developed with extensive input from community members, including public meetings, surveys, and generally speaking to those who could be impacted by changes. The approved budget will take effect on July 1.
