City of Atlanta Legislative Updates

Livable Buckhead is supporting our local community by providing continued updates from the City of Atlanta on approved legislation that will have an impact in both Buckhead and surrounding neighborhoods. From transportation related initiatives to new transit projects that will provide benefits to residents and commuters, Livable Buckhead is committed to keeping you up to date and informed with the latest information.

City of Atlanta council updates include:

• Budget: Atlanta City Hall is finally beginning to craft its next budget for fiscal year 2024, which starts July 1. The proposed $790 million General Fund budget is the largest in the City’s history. More than $8 million dedicated to affordable housing trust fund, $6.2 million to purchase vehicles and equipment for police and fire personnel, $10 million toward continued premium pay and implementing a citywide cost-of-living adjustment $1.25 million in new technology to support innovation, establishment of Department of Labor and Employment Services and $10 million towards capital improvements.
• Buckhead State Police Precinct: Governor Kemp signed the budget earlier this month to include $1.25 million in funding to open a Georgia State Patrol satellite post in Buckhead that will house 2o troopers and Nighthawks DUI Task Force.
• Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program: Mayor Andre Dickens announced the launch of the City of Atlanta’s 2023 Summer Youth Employment Program. The program is open to Atlanta’s young people ages 14 to 24 and provides young people with the opportunities to explore career interests and build work-related skills. Young people are encouraged to register here as soon as possible!
• Public Safety Training Center: Council introduced an ordinance authorizing the chief financial officer to allocate no more than $30 million in funds to support the continued construction and improvements to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center and allocate no more than $1 million to fund the installation of a gymnasium facility on the site. Protesters continue to oppose the facility with 300 people attending the public comment session. The legislation to authorize funding will go to the Public Safety council committee on 5/22 and finance committee on 5/24. The legislation will need to be approved in both committees before going for approval to full council on 6/5.
• Shooting Aftermath: The shooting that occurred in Midtown a few weeks ago has reignited calls from Democrats for stricter gun laws and more support for mental illness. City lawmakers acknowledge that it is unlikely Brian Kemp will create any restrictions. Calls for a special session are very unlikely to yield any results. A resolution authorizing the mayor to establish mutual responsibility during a law enforcement emergency on behalf of the City of Atlanta Department of Corrections was voted as favorable.
• Parks Budget: District 9 Council member Dustin Hills introduced legislation to make the largest new, yearly commitment to parks in Atlanta in half a century. Part of the City’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget process, the City’s dedicated Parks Improvement Fund will be increased to $16 million annually.
• MARTA: The MARTA Board of Directors will hold in-person and virtual public hearings to consider the proposed fiscal year 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets on Tuesday, May 16, at 7PM and Thursday, May 18, at 7PM with a community exchange session beginning 1 hour prior.
• Streets Alive: Councilman Farokhi is working to fund streets alive in the current budget cycle. If approved the event will be hosted 4 to 6 times throughout the year with locations rotating throughout the city including the potential to be hosted within Buckhead.