Atlanta City Council members are expressing disapproval with Mayor Andre Dickens’ push to reduce local Department of Transportation funding and staffing as city residents continue to demand that their pothole-plagued roads be repaved as soon as possible. The $790 million general fund budget Dickens’ office released earlier this month is the largest in Atlanta history. […]
City Politics
Posted inCity Politics
Some Key Line Items Are Missing From the Atlanta Budget. Where Did They Go?
When Mayor Andre Dickens released his record-breaking $790 million proposed Atlanta general fund budget earlier this month, the public was privy to details such as how much money could be appropriated for major departments like police, fire, and parks and recreation. However, the current proposed budget info doesn’t include specific funding request details for certain […]
Posted inCity Politics
What We Learned From Atlanta Police’s Proposed Budget Presentation
This week, the leader of the Atlanta Police Department stated his case for their proposed $247 million budget. Chief Darin Schierbaum presented the department’s top priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, with personnel representing $202 million of the tab. Overall, the department is asking for an $11.7 million increase from the current year. “The number […]
Posted inCity Politics
What You Should Know About the Largest Proposed Budget in Atlanta History
Tackling inequality in Atlanta is a key focus for Mayor Andre Dickens in his latest proposed general fund budget released Monday. The potential $790 million tab would be the largest in the city’s history if approved. Black residents have endured a disproportionate share of the added financial burden caused by the city’s rapidly rising inflation […]
Posted inCity Politics
When and Where to Weigh In on the Latest City Budget
The process of finalizing the Atlanta budget starts this week, and there’s a lot happening that you should know about. Mayor Andre Dickens’ proposed city budget for fiscal year 2024 would be the largest in Atlanta’s history if approved. Should the city give raises to its employees? How much money should the city commit to […]
Posted inCity Politics, Social Welfare
What City Council Said Before Atlanta Released Its Largest Proposed Budget Ever
Mayor Andre Dickens has released the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2024. The $790 million general fund budget would be the largest in Atlanta’s history if approved. Between now and then, City Council members will spend roughly 45 days in committee hearings listening to Atlanta service department leaders make their case for their municipal funding requests. […]
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It’s Not Just the City of Atlanta. Black Residents in DeKalb Have Water Issues, Too
Earlier this week, Janis Gardner sat outside the DeKalb County government office in downtown Decatur looking for answers. It was early in the morning, but she waited, alongside a dozen others, for the 10 a.m. Board of Commissioners meeting. Next to her were fellow members of the DeKalb Water Watch, a community group created with […]
Posted inCity Politics
How Will Atlanta Spend Your Tax Dollars? Read Our Budget Explainer.
City budget hearings start next week, which means it’s almost time for Atlanta residents like you to tell leaders how to spend your tax dollars during the next fiscal year, beginning on July 1. Concerned residents will have opportunities to weigh in on the latest budget, which impacts government services for the nearly half a […]
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The City Shut Off Their Water. Now, These Black Residents in Atlanta Want Answers.
The water leak at his home first began in the summer of 2019, as far as Nick Aaron can recall. He didn’t know exactly where the leak was, but says it sounded like his water was constantly running after flushing the toilet or using a faucet. Aaron first reached out to a plumber, who told […]
Posted inCity Politics
Why More Black People Are Showing Up for Atlanta NPU Meetings
Lynette Grant didn’t know developers were building a new apartment complex in her community before attending the latest Neighborhood Planning Unit meeting Wednesday night. Grant was one of about 30 resident members of NPU-R who participated in the most recent monthly Zoom call to weigh in on issues happening in their predominantly Black, southwest Atlanta […]
