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...

Finance/Executive Committee Chairwoman Yolanda Adrean Praised the New Budget quoted by the local news stated, “First of all there’s no tax increase and we have begun pension reform, which once completed will relieve our city of a vast financial burden. We are also putting more police officers on the street and investing in new equipment in the departments of police and public works. This city is also adding $27 million to its reserves,”. (Fox5News)

The new budget is slated to increase the City’s Cash Reserve by 32.6 Millions, for a total in reserve of 40 Million for FY2011, while FY2010 had only 7.4 Million in reserve.

Council woman Felicia Moore added the funds for the budget is not available, she commented on how will the bills get paid once they start coming in.(Video Fox 5 News)

PACE President Gina Pagnotta states the Union asked for an across the board raise for the city employee’s instead of a one time Bonus. Although Police and Fire Department does deserve their raise, other employees work diligently to help keep the city running and supplies the City of Atlanta with detrimental services, as well has pitched in an worked more than one persons job to keep the citizens of Atlanta serviced.