Questions have emerged about whether Mayor Kasim Reed's administration acted improperly last week when, trying to resolve a dispute over Atlanta Beltline funding, it made a nearly $9.1 million "good faith" payment to Atlanta Public Schools without first going to the city council for approval.
Reed officials say they didn't need to consult the council before cutting a check, but a few council members are questioning the move.
City and school leaders hailed the payment as evidence both parties are close to reaching a deal after years of negotiations. The conflict stems from a 2009 agreement over the Beltline’s funding model in which the city uses a portion of school taxes to pay for its parks and trails. In exchange, it is supposed to make annual payments to APS. The city got behind on those payments as a result of the recession and has pushed to strike a new deal.
Last year, the council authorized $4 million to be used to help settle the dispute as the city and school negotiated a new agreement. But to make the Dec. 30 payment, Reed officials pulled another $5 million from the general fund while the council was on holiday recess.
Council members Felicia Moore and Mary Norwood say they’re pleased a Beltline accord is within reach, but are concerned about what they see as an end-around.
To learn more about why they're raising questions about the payment, visit myAJC.com.
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