Mayor Andre Dickens combined $2.75 billion budget for 2025 was unanimously approved by the Atlanta City Council on Monday.
The budget allocates $853.8 million for the general fund, $1.5 billion for enterprise funds and $352.5 million for other funds. The budget is the largest in the city’s history.
This budget reflects a strategic approach to financial management, aimed at addressing the evolving economic landscape while prioritizing critical investments for the city’s growth and development, according to a press release from the mayor’s officec
“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,” Dickens said in a statement. “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. 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.”
The FY25 budget considers recent analyses and projections, including a projected slight contraction in inflation-adjusted GDP and expectations of an average inflation rate of around 2.5% per year, according to the release.
Key highlights of the budget include:
- City Employees: A $24.3 million investment in employee compensation, benefits, and professional development, ensuring a resourceful workforce for the city’s future. The minimum wage for city employees will increase to $17.50/hour.
- Public Safety: $29.8 million, including funding for equipment, technology upgrades, and security measures.
- Affordable Housing: The budget commits $17 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
- Infrastructure Development: The budget allocates $30 million for capital improvements, including the construction of two new fire stations and addressing long-standing maintenance needs.
- Eradicating Food Deserts: Dedicating $6 million to developing local grocery stores and markets and supporting fresh food inventory and distribution throughout the city.
- Youth Services: These investments include $3 million in Year of the Youth Investments, $1.8 million for the operations of At-Promise Youth Centers and $2 million for Summer Youth Program and $1.9 million for the Mayor’s Youth Ball.
Further information and detailed budget breakdowns can be found here.