Atlanta City Council Expected to Finalize Mayor’s Budget Monday

June 14th, 2013

The Atlanta City Council is expected to vote Monday on a final budget plan for fiscal year 2014.

Mayor Kasim Reed proposed the $539 million budget last month. It avoids a property tax increase and includes funds to launch a new 311 customer service hotline, add to the city’s growing reserves, and maintain a police force of nearly 2,000, up 700 officers since Reed took office.

Councilwoman Felicia Moore, chair of the City Council’s finance committee, doesn’t expect too many major changes to the mayor’s proposal.

“You only have a certain amount of money so if the council wants to spend more money than the mayor proposes, the council would have to cut expenditures somewhere else in the budget to make up that difference” said Moore.

At 12:30 p.m. Monday, the mayor, his chief financial officer, and three council members will sign off on the city’s revenue projections for the coming year. At 1 p.m., the full City Council will begin debate on the budget and any amendments. The amendments proposed so far consist of roughly $2 million in spending.

The most significant issue heading into Monday involves employee pay raises. Reed has proposed a one percent pay raise for all city workers making under $60,000, including police and firefighters. In addition, the city’s roughly 3,000 classified employees would be eligible for a three percent bump. Classified employees are covered by civil service protections and earn a maximum of $61,000.

However, employee unions have criticized the plan, noting worker salaries were cut by five percent in 2011 to help stabilize and reform the city’s pension system. Union reps have demanded a better deal.

Moore said negotiations are still ongoing and she, along with fellow council members, are awaiting an update from the mayor’s office.

“I have no idea what their final recommendation to the council will be. My understanding is we find that out Monday.”

The budget technically doesn’t have to be approved until July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, but Moore expects council members to take a final vote Monday.