Could change be in store for Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit system? At a recent budget hearing for Atlanta’s Department of City Planning, leaders discussed the program aimed at giving residents a voice in how policy decisions affect their communities. Leaders of the department — responsible for long-term planning of how the city will look […]
City Politics
Posted inCity Politics, Economy, Jobs, Public Services
What We Heard at the Budget Hearing for Atlanta’s New Department of Labor
Workforce development leaders from the office of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens are making final preparations to open the first city-run Department of Labor and Employment Services in July. Last week, Odie Donald II, Mayor Andre Dickens’ chief of staff, laid out plans for the new department during its inaugural City Council budget briefing. Donald has […]
Posted inCity Politics, Policing, Public Safety, Uncategorized
Now That ‘Cop City’ Is Being Built, What’s Next?
The Atlanta City Council approved using public funds to build a controversial new public safety training center — dubbed “Cop City” by opponents — following more than 14 hours of rebuke from hundreds of local residents who traveled to City Hall on Monday to oppose it. An Atlanta Community Stakeholder Advisory Committee report released in […]
Posted inCity Politics, Policing, Public Safety, Uncategorized
Atlanta Leaders Just Voted to Approve ‘Cop City’ Funding
The Atlanta City Council voted early Tuesday morning to approve legislation to move forward with funding for a new public safety training center known as “Cop City.” The 11-4 vote came after more than 14 hours of public comment that stretched overnight — mostly from people in opposition. Less than two weeks earlier, Atlanta government […]
Posted inCity Politics, Explainers
Atlanta City Council Proposes New Ordinance to Ensure Residents Are Heard in Public Comment
If you’ve ever been to an Atlanta City Council meeting and tried to speak during the public comment section, you may have had to wait several hours to state your piece. Now, the city is proposing a change to its public comment system to help ensure that all residents can voice their concerns. Here’s what […]
Posted inCity Politics
Council’s Vote on ‘Cop City’ Unlikely to Change Despite $67 Million Cost to Taxpayers
Building “Cop City” might cost taxpayers more than double what Atlanta government leaders have been telling the public. But the revelation about the public safety training center’s price tag doesn’t seem to be changing lawmakers’ stances on the project. Atlanta City Council members are scheduled to vote Monday on whether to greenlight $67 million to […]
Posted inCity Politics
‘Cop City’ Could Cost Atlanta Taxpayers $67 Million
The legislation to fund the controversial public safety training center known as “Cop City” is moving forward despite reports alleging it will cost Atlanta taxpayers twice what the mayor’s office has told the public. City officials have previously said that the Atlanta Police Foundation would cover about two-thirds of the facility’s $90 million price tag, […]
Posted inCity Politics
Why Council Members Are Challenging Dickens Over Proposed Transportation Funding Cut
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. […]
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 […]