The Atlanta City Council approved a 2015 fiscal year budget proposed by Mayor Kasim Reed after a marathon meeting on Monday, but not before Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms sparred with the mayor over a $3.9 million funding increase for the municipal court.
Bottoms said the court needed to be open five days a week instead of the current four, fill vacant positions and spend monies remaining from this year’s budget rather than get another increase. Bottoms wound up for voting for the budget, but also introduced a bill to amend the city’s charter to give the city more control over judges’ compensation and courtroom operations.
The budget ultimately passed 14-1 with only Councilwoman Felicia Moore voting against it.
“This budget continues the City of Atlanta’s course of fiscal stability and responsibility,” said Reed. “We have improved our financial strength, earned bond rating upgrades across all of the City’s funds, built our cash reserves, and continue to deliver essential services. The public deserves the highest level of financial stewardship as we seek to tackle a major infrastructure backlog next year through a $250 million public bond offering.”
Some of the budget highlights include:
- Allocation of $4.7 million for code enforcement to address blighted properties, which reflects an increase of $2.5 million in funding over FY14;
- Funding for expanded IT systems capabilities to improve customer service and operations, including the 311 call center and 911;
- Funding to maintain a police force of 2,000 officers;
“We are pleased to note that, for the second year in a row, we reduced the millage rate for Atlanta property owners,” said Chief Financial Officer Jim Beard. “This budget further demonstrates our commitment to being a world-class, effective and efficient government.”
The FY2015 budget takes effect on July 1.
