ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council is scheduled to consider an $854-million budget on Monday amid concerns that transportation funding is inadequate.
The proposed 2025 fiscal year budget calls for $51 million for the Department of Transportation. That’s a 2% increase following last year’s 11% budget cut to transportation.
Some are concerned the city isn’t providing enough to finish numerous road projects.
On a section of Cascade Road lined with orange markers, TaWayne Sheffield has been hearing about road improvements since he bought his home in 2020. Work has begun, but the issues remain.
“They didn’t start work until earlier this year,” said Sheffield. “It’s like pothole heaven.”
Advocacy groups like Propel Atlanta complain that a 2% budget increase isn’t enough to cover inflation.
“We have money to build projects, but we don’t have enough money in the operating budget to hire people and purchase supplies,” said Propel Atlanta’s Rebecca Serna.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation said the department is committed to “prudent spending and effective resource management. We are confident that the allocated dollars will cover the next twelve months.”
The statement goes on to mention that the department has secured millions in “external funding.”
At a recent budget hearing, representatives of the department expressed their confidence.
“I think a lot of cities don’t have the capital financing that’s happening in Atlanta,” said Deputy Commissioner of Strategy and Planning Betty Smoot-Madison. “We’ve got this major $450-million T-SPLOST and bond program.”
The city council can modify the city budget. Members have until July 1 to pass a final version.
Here is the full statement from the Department of Transportation:
“We believe the proposed budget positions the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) to make significant progress in project design and delivery while continuing efforts to recruit and retain high-quality staff to carry out our planned initiatives.
ATLDOT is vigilantly taking steps to enhance the department’s capacity and efficiency. We've restructured and strengthened our workforce, implemented innovative procurement strategies, and secured millions in external funding for safer streets ($30M), resurfacing ($4M) and sidewalk$6M) projects. These measures are a testament to our commitment to prudent spending and effective resource management. We are confident that the allocated dollars will cover the next 12 months.”