The City of Atlanta announced its proposed $3.0 billion total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026, including a $975 million general fund budget, with a focus on essential services and investments in public safety, affordable housing, and infrastructure.
The city’s 2025 total budget came in at $2.75 billion.
According to a news release, the city is implementing a “forward-looking financial strategy to reduce property taxes, lower debt obligations, and improve long-term financial flexibility.”
“By reallocating bond levy savings and optimizing general obligation debt, the City aims to deliver meaningful tax relief to residents, reduce overall debt, and enhance its credit standing,” the release said.
“My administration is committed to a safe, thriving Atlanta—built for the future and full of opportunity for all,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “This proposed budget reflects those values and a steadfast commitment to strengthening our neighborhoods and strategic investment in our infrastructure.”
“This plan helps ease the tax burden on residents while improving the City’s financial health,” Chief Financial Officer Mohamed Balla said in the release. “Because property tax exemptions apply to the millage rate shifted to the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) levy—unlike the bond millage—this approach directly benefits taxpayers.”
A significant portion of the investments will support critical and recurring needs within the general fund, including enhanced salaries and upgrades to fleet and facilities for police and fire services, as well as infrastructure improvements.
“This budget strikes the right balance between fiscal discipline and investment in the services our residents depend on,” Councilmember Howard Shook, Chair of the Finance/Executive Committee, said. “It’s a responsible plan that supports Atlanta’s continued growth and stability.”
The budget comes as the City of Atlanta navigates a challenging fiscal environment, driven in part by broader macroeconomic pressures, including President Donald Trump’s sweeping cuts and tariffs. Departments have been instructed to maintain service levels while enhancing efficiency, the release said.
“Our focus remains on strong financial management and meeting the needs of our residents,” Balla said. “With thoughtful planning, we’re building a more resilient and equitable future for all Atlantans.”
The budget can be viewed online here.
The Atlanta City Council has scheduled a series of budget briefings for May 6 – 15, which will be held inside the Sam Massell Old Council Chamber. The remainder of the schedule will be held in the Marvin S. Arrington Sr. Council Chamber at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW.
The sessions will be simulcast on the YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), Instagram pages, and Channel 26. Closed captioning will be available on the council’s Facebook page.
The schedule dated below will be held inside the Sam Massell Old Council Chamber:
Tuesday, May 6
10 a.m. to Noon
Fiscal condition of the City, budget development process, non-department capital and trust funds, debt service, cash pool, investments
Unions
1 – 1:40 p.m.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
Professional Association of City Employees (PACE)
2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
3:15 – 4 p.m.
International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO)
Wednesday, May 7
10 – 11 a.m.
Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
11 a.m. – Noon
Department of Corrections
1 – 2 p.m.
Department of Enterprise Asset Management
2 – 3 p.m.
Atlanta Citizen’s Review Board
3 – 4 p.m.
Department of Law
Thursday, May 8
9:30 – 11 a.m.
Atlanta Police Department
11 a.m. – Noon
Department of Watershed Management
1 – 1:30 p.m.
Atlanta Information Management
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Department of Parks and Recreation
Thursday, May 15
10 – 11 a.m.
Department of Public Works
11 – Noon
Department of Human Resources
1 – 2 p.m.
Invest Atlanta
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Executive Office
3:30 – 4 p.m.
Department of Labor
The schedule dated below will be held inside the Marvin S. Arrington Council Chamber:
Tuesday, May 20
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Atlanta Department of Transportation
11:30 a.m. – Noon
Municipal Court
1 – 2 p.m.
Department of City Planning
2 – 3 p.m.
Office of the Solicitor
3 – 4 p.m
Office of the Public Defender
Wednesday, May 21
10 – 11 a.m.
Office of the Inspector General
11 – 11:30 a.m.
Ethics Office
11:30 a.m. – Noon
City Auditor’s Office
1 – 2 p.m.
Department of Aviation
2 – 3 p.m.
Department of Grants and Community Development
3 – 4 p.m.
Department of Customer Service
6 – 6:15 p.m.
Public Hearing for Tax Millage Rate-Per Published Notice (Office of Revenue)
6:15 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Budget Public Hearing (Interactive Community Budget Session)
Thursday, May 22
10 – 11 a.m.
Department of Procurement
11 a.m. – Noon
Department of Finance
1 – 2 p.m.
City Council
2 – 4 p.m.
Personnel Paper Discussion
Wednesday, May 28
Noon – 12:30 p.m.
Second public hearing for tax millage rate
6 – 7 p.m.
Third public hearing for tax millage rate
Monday, June 2
11:30 a.m.
Budget commission meets to approve Fiscal Year 2026 anticipations
