Atlanta budget hits home stretch

By Ernie Suggs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kasim Reed’s first major test as mayor will come this week as the Atlanta City Council weighs his proposed $558 million spending plan for 2011.

Facing a $48 million budget gap, Reed has proposed a budget that includes several fee increases for certain municipal services, but no tax increases.

But Reed has also pushed to add new spending on several key projects, few of which have been received favorably by all members of the Atlanta City Council.

As part of the budget process, the council had scheduled a vote on the budget Monday. But although there will be vigorous discussion, debate and amendments floating, chances of an actual vote are uncertain.

On Friday, City Council President Ceasar Mitchell posted a notice for a special call meeting for 9 a.m. June 25 in the event that a settlement is not reached Monday.

“I am anticipating that we will have a final vote on Monday and a formal adoption on Friday [June 25],” said Yolanda Adrean, chair of the council’s Finance/Executive Committee. “But I won’t speak for all of my colleagues.”

A budget must be approved by June 30.

Stay tuned.

Here is a look at three key budget items.

•Salary increase of 3.5 percent to police officers: $4.1 million.

Rationale: In making the proposal, Reed has said that he wanted to “show good faith for performance” for the officers.

Obstacles: Council members have argued that the increases are unfair because no other city workers are included in the raises. The finance committee did not recommend the police raises in an amendment to the budget that the full council will hear Monday.

“I feel like funding an increase for one department and not for the firefighters is a mistake,” Adrean said. “All of our employees have worked without raises for a long time, so to recognize one body without the others is not fair.”

•Centers of Hope: $3.7 million.

Rationale: In one of Reed’s most ambitious proposals, he wants to get Atlanta's kids off the streets and into structured, organized programs by opening each of the city's 15 shuttered recreation centers by the end of 2010. The $3.7 million would be used as seed money to open, staff and renovate the centers.

Obstacles: Part of Reed’s plan calls for raising millions in philanthropic and corporate giving to maintain the centers. Council members have questioned spending $3.7 million in tax money when all of the private money isn’t secure yet.

•Hiring 100 new police officers: $5.5 million.

Rationale: Simple. For years, officials have insisted that Atlanta needs at least 2,000 officers. Right now there are 1,500.

Obstacles: Some council members say the city can’t afford new hires, especially when city workers are losing jobs. As part of budget cuts, there have been several layoffs throughout the city.