On Friday June 25 the City Council made the FY2011 City of Atlanta Budget a reality. City Council Members voted 12 to 1 to approve the new FY2011 Budget to begin 1 July 2010. Some highlights of the new budget are:

• Reduction in Pension Liability for the City of Atlanta for New Employees hired after 1 July 2010.
• Hiring of 100 New Police Officers for the City of Atlanta
• Opening all the City Recreation Centers
• 3.5% Raise for sworn Police Officers and Fire Department Personnel beginning 1 January 2011.
• A one time bonus of 300 for some city personnel and others, a $450 one time bonus for personnel with Salaries below $75,000.

The bonuses will not include Executive Office personnel in the Mayor’s Cabinet, or Department Commissioners.

City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell stated, “Even though we are in tough economic times, through working in partnership with the administration, I believe we were able to take significant strides towards strengthening the city’s service delivery platform. Public safety and youth engagement are obviously strong quality of life themes in this budget,” (per Fox Five Atlanta News)

(see) http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/atlanta-city-council-oks-2010-budge...

Gina Pagnotta PACE Union President Speaks up for Union Members and City of Atlanta Employees during April 30, 2010 Atlanta Fox 5 news interview. (See attached video, courtesy of Fox 5 http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/City-Budget-Released%2C-Employees-W...)

Mayor Kasim Reed handed over his administrations FY2011 Budget Proposal to the City Council at 9am, Friday, April 30 (per Fox5 News Report). The Mayor and his administration want to increase Atlanta Police Officer's Employment, offer current Police Officer's raises, as well, open several closed recreation centers. Union President Gina Pagnotta spoke to News reporter Morse Diggs reflecting concerns of Union Members and City Employees, regarding FY2011 Budget Proposal which Mayor Kasim Reed proposed to Lay-Offs more city employees. PACE President Pagnotta stated, the Mayor and his Administration must explain the Who, When, Where and How. Mayor Reed's proposal, to cut employees would drastically reduce services (Gina Pagnotta) both internal and external. According to Morse Diggs Fox 5 News, Mayor Reed wants to make good on his Campaign promises to hirer more police Officers.

Gina Pagnotta stated the City does need more Police officers and they do deserve a raise, however the Administration should balance the budget and find the funds to give all employees raises. Some City Council members are also wondering why the Mayor only wants to give Police Officers raises and they questioned the fairness in his decision not all City Employees (Fox 5 Morris Diggs) The Mayor’s Budget proposal is based on projects that are proposed and not yet officially enacted to be apart of the budget yet, (Morse Diggs) and there are questions about a new recreational facility to be built, that is added to the budget proposal and show cause to eliminate current City Of Atlanta Employee Positions.

PACE Executive Board met on February 16, 2010, to discuss the recertification issues that all unions need to resolve. Now that the drop period has closed, PACE is on a high volume drive to recruit new members to become a part of our elite organization. Members are strongly encouraged to bring at least one new member to join to help meet our recertification goal. To date, we had no members to drop during the month of January 2010.

PACE officials met with Mayor Reed to discuss legislation and pension issues on Thursday February 4, 2010. PACE gained 24-hour access to the Mayor and staff (per Mayor Reed) to meet with PACE Officials whenever he was not on location outside the City. PACE will continue its dialog with the Executive and Legislative branch as the City moves into FY11 budget preparations.

PACE was able to Lobby a 4-3 vote to hold a walked in Legislation presented by Keisha Lance Bottom and C.T. Martin to introduce legislation, giving Department Heads and Commissioners the ability to hire new employee’s above the mid-point and up to the top of the salary range without Council approval. See Ordinance 10-O-0225 as Substituted by: Finance/Executive committee dated 01/27/2010.