The Atlanta City Council approved an historic $3.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2027, including $994.6 million general fund budget.
Also on the June 15 meeting agenda was a slate of other measures, including enforcement of a blight tax on abandoned buildings, road resurfacing, AI governance, and pedestrian safety.
The FY27 budget prioritizes public safety, affordable housing, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, and youth programs.
The general fund supports staffing, day-to-day operations, and core services across all 12 city council districts. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said he is proud of the city’s AAA bond rating, which leads to more money for capital projects.
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Addressing blighted property, council members approved a resolution directing the city to pursue blight tax penalties against owner-developer John Dewberry for the stalled renovation of 1155 Peachtree Street – known as The Campanile building – in Midtown. The property has been under scrutiny as Midtown residents have complained about the unfinished construction, which led to the city issuing a safety warning.
Council members approved a resolution asking the Atlanta City Detention Center to explore reducing the detention of offenders of low-level, nonviolent misdemeanors to address overcrowding and prioritize space for serious offenses.
A resolution urged that the 1996 Olympic Cauldron remain in the Summerhill community, and that any action to relocate include transparent community engagement.
“While this budget may not accomplish everything we want today, it represents a meaningful process and a foundation we continue to bid upon,” Council member Byron Amos said.
Other measures passed:
- A $3.3 million agreement for road resurfacing and an ordinance requiring ATL DOT to create temporary pedestrian routes for inaccessible sidewalks.
- A resolution directing city departments to protect the Utoy Creek Watershed within city limits.
- A request for the Fulton County Commission to commit $200 million to expanding hospital and healthcare infrastructure with Morehouse School of Medicine on the Southside and Westside.
- A resolution to prioritize human-created visual media rather than AI in official communications from the City of Atlanta.
“As we welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026, we are showing the world the best of Atlanta. But our greatest legacy will not be measured by what happens on the field. It will be measured by whether we used this moment to build a stronger, fairer city for the generations who will call Atlanta home long after the final whistle,” Dickens said during the meeting.
