Atlanta City Council OKs 2010 Budget

ATLANTA - The Atlanta City Council approved a $559 million General Fund Budget by vote of 12-1 Friday. City leaders said the budget will allow for a reduction in the city’s pension liability for new employees, the hiring of 100 new police officers and the opening of all city recreation centers.

The budget was amended to add a 3.5 percent salary increase for sworn police and fire personnel starting Jan. 1 and a one-time $450 bonus for city employees earning less than $75,000 per year. Excluded from the bonus will be employees in the Executive Office of the Mayor including cabinet members and department commissioners.

“I commend the members of the Atlanta City Council for their steadfast commitment during this budget review and approval process,” said City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell. “Even though we are in tough economic times, through working in partnership with the administration, I believe we were able to take significant strides towards strengthening the city’s service delivery platform.

“Public safety and youth engagement are obviously strong quality of life themes in this budget,” Mitchell said. “I am also encouraged by the internal reforms we supported in the areas of cash reserves, employee compensation and benefits and technology.”

Finance/Executive Committee Chairwoman Yolanda Adrean, District 8, said there is a lot to celebrate in the new budget.

“First of all there’s no tax increase and we have begun pension reform, which once completed will relieve our city of a vast financial burden. We are also putting more police officers on the street and investing in new equipment in the departments of police and public works. This city is also adding $27 million to its reserves,” she said.

City officials estimate the city will end the current fiscal year on June 30 with an increase in its cash reserves from $7.4 million to $40 million by the end of the fiscal year.

The 2011 budget year begins July 1.