[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6224053,"mediaKeyId","3556046-9ec958c7c9cc997628d1f3ef180cc12f","parentId",3556046,"title","Atlanta finance committee advances FY26 personnel paper after sharp debate over 1,200 ‘unfunded’ vacancies","audioSeconds",2764,"startMs",3336000,"endMs",6100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3556046-9ec958c7c9cc997628d1f3ef180cc12f&start=3336&end=6100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3556046-9ec958c7c9cc997628d1f3ef180cc12f/thumbnail_3336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6224053/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Atlanta-finance-committee-advances-FY26-personnel-paper-after-sharp-debate-over-1200-unfunded-vacancies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224053-0d8eaf1a4e1a99c24fa3e68cf4a93e05/orig.mp4?Expires=1775584162&Signature=E-ZNAr~QpTCnuolN3saaTW9l7YIHbyBicHQ~StDtdQcUxz0dN66n~fe-6~OttARRvnpBeE6DYRixz7VurJI5phF3WhURrCyTtBjnkM~kKIxbObVyjppFC-kQ6FGKhGdYv5Fqh~eemQSiF~DNmi11xspEffKRUg20J6iuKI8Riabhv6d9UcEqLWfU-ITKrurPNtQA1OBCJJG1z7QqzM9EzaawGE5~vXiRVKb-m3y-~xq9krLQQSTNvLwg-WVHOBEUVqBaH347Hu0Ky55uVwrVkPUR53TiFPEegV9i2yrfMvS-1JE-dPh5PsdnltEF9URdaDqS1SyfPGEEDQ98KEX9Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-28T20:11:36Z","article","The Finance Executive Committee voted to advance the fiscal 2026 personnel paper with no recommendation after an extended discussion about the number of vacant but unfunded positions and the safeguards the city will use to prevent unintended hiring.

The committee’s chair, Chair Shook, said he \"would not be able to support this budget absent, sort of that belt and suspenders approach,\" and asked the administration to return with additional controls and data before full council consideration. Members agreed the vacancy review board (VRB) and monthly monitoring will be central to that work.

Why it matters: Council members said the FY25 execution problems and an uncertain national economy make stricter oversight necessary. Several members described the report’s counts of funded vacancies, unfunded vacancies and recent abolishments as too large to accept without more detail and additional departmental justification.

What the meeting record shows
- Human Resources presented a substitute personnel paper that, according to Interim Commissioner Calvin Blackburn, includes 155 updates and a set of position abolishments, creations, reclassifications and other personnel actions. Blackburn said the substitute brought the total abolishments to be presented to 253 (a figure he said would be reflected in a final summary before adoption).
- Budget chief Sean Gabriel summarized nine FY26 budget amendments elsewhere on the agenda and remained available for questions tied to personnel impacts.
- Administration officials said the VRB had been reconstituted earlier in the year and that every request to fill a position must come before that panel for approval. Theo Pace, deputy chief of staff, described the VRB as the approval gate for any hiring requests submitted after January.
- Chief Operating Officer Lashandra Burks told members the administration had asked departments for positions vacant more than a year and increased the number of abolishments overnight in response to council concern.

Key numbers and clarifications (as presented at the meeting)
- Personnel actions in the substitute: 1,052 total actions (abolishments, creations, transfers and other changes) as stated by the HR commissioner.
- Abolishments discussed in the substitute: 253 positions to be presented in the personnel paper (commissioner stated the number would be finalized in the final substitute).
- Reported “vacant funded” positions and “filled but unfunded” figures were discussed in the meeting materials; speakers referenced approximately 804 funded vacant positions and about 315 filled‑but‑unfunded roles as of the date of reporting, and council members described an overall figure near 1,200 vacant/unfunded positions (administration described timing and reporting differences as the source of the apparent discrepancies).

Council concerns and requested actions
- Multiple council members said the unfunded‑vacant totals were too large given FY25 execution issues and current economic uncertainty. Several asked the administration to reduce the unfunded vacancy totals and to document which vacancies departments expect realistically to fill within the coming year.
- Council asked for VRB documentation and a clearer monthly staffing report that would show trends in headcount and payroll transactions. Members requested the administration return with additional abolishments and department‑level justification before the Monday full council meeting.

Formal action
The committee approved a motion to forward the personnel paper with no recommendation, conditioned on additional information and further abolishments to be provided by the administration prior to the council floor meeting. The committee recorded a unanimous committee vote (7 ayes, 0 nays).

Background and context
Administration officials said the city is continuing to use the vacancy review board to vet hiring requests and that some of the reported discrepancies reflect timing differences in how vacancies and positions are recorded in department systems versus the budget upload. The HR commissioner said some items removed from the original personnel paper and additional changes were included in the substitute brought to the committee.

What comes next
Council members and the administration agreed to continue work on the personnel paper between the committee meeting and the Monday council meeting, with the administration committing to deliver additional abolishment recommendations, department‑by‑department justifications for large vacancy pools and VRB decision documentation before final council action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","#Atlanta City Council Finance/Executive Committee Meeting May 28, 2025 #atlpol","oneSentenceSummary","The Finance Executive Committee voted to advance the fiscal 2026 personnel paper with no recommendation after an extended discussion about the number of vacant but unfunded positions and the safeguards the city will use to prevent unintended hiring.","taxTitle","Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2959,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6224044,"Committee confirms two mayoral/council appointments to audit committee and contract compliance office",208,42000,250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3556046-9ec958c7c9cc997628d1f3ef180cc12f&start=42&end=250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3556046-9ec958c7c9cc997628d1f3ef180cc12f/thumbnail_42000.jpg","/articles/6224044/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Committee-confirms-two-mayoralcouncil-appointments-to-audit-committee-and-contract-compliance-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224044-f97bd0b2d6bcd460a210de663de38d03/orig.mp4?Expires=1775584162&Signature=lUVfGMB2WJnWuoFn2mMwsnVvS14Y6kn5yEumLIrN9LOv6EiVVdDiOReTpDyKylaHo3wLymdN8qeNQxWsUmMJmlgmJDWBCn8k6vD4bljcGR8j8V5M68o2Xz72PqT4V-KHvSBc8WF7LY7jpKpXHiTx9ovrkQhFD~Eh0MkX5NvfXw4tlsZPa6hbZVOIo3Nb-tWNhSM4unLwbDo3ifm4YTCsTXYBzOh7B7Em815-h83eQt5FTZUeept57swLpF3gunSZsZOsKSOtNojndryaM569-WWuKLy-E4PVS7ALT9qgv-EWQJnwhrl45hKqJn-VWqjL9jjJe0ENn9SFWEba7eWRbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Executive Committee confirmed two appointments: Robin Craig to the City of Atlanta Audit Committee for a four‑year term and Jana Edmonson Cooper, Esquire, as a contract compliance hearing officer for a two‑year term.

Robin Craig introduced herself and described a background in accounting and investment management. Craig said, \"I'm a CPA ... I started my career at Ernst and Young...\" and recounted experience with financial auditing, systems and process improvement work at investment management firms. The committee voted to approve her appointment.

Jana Edmonson Cooper, who described 15 years of legal experience that includes work as a judge and federal prosecutor, told the committee she was \"humbled and grateful for the possible opportunity to serve\" and emphasized a commitment to equity in contract compliance. The committee approved her appointment by recorded vote.

Votes
- Robin Craig appointment: committee approved the council president’s communication; vote recorded in meeting minutes (vote closed 5 ayes, 0 nays as shown in the committee record at the time of the vote).
- Jana Edmonson Cooper appointment: committee approved the mayor’s communication to appoint Cooper as contract compliance hearing officer; vote recorded (5 ayes, 0 nays).

Why it matters
These appointments fill advisory and quasi‑judicial roles that participate in audit oversight and contract compliance for the city. The appointees summarized professional credentials relevant to their roles.

What’s next
The confirmed appointees will begin terms as indicated at their confirmations. Further administrative steps (oaths, onboarding) will be completed per city practice.","The committee approved the appointment of Robin Craig to the City of Atlanta Audit Committee and Jana Edmonson Cooper, Esquire, as a contract compliance hearing officer. Both nominees described their qualifications during the committee meeting and each appointment passed by recorded vote.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6224049,"Finance committee approves up to $1.3 billion in airport bonds and new short‑term note program",288,1664000,1952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3556046-9ec958c7c9cc997628d1f3ef180cc12f&start=1664&end=1952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3556046-9ec958c7c9cc997628d1f3ef180cc12f/thumbnail_1664000.jpg","/articles/6224049/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Finance-committee-approves-up-to-13-billion-in-airport-bonds-and-new-shortterm-note-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224049-018331cbfb02126594241f0eb04a8dae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775584162&Signature=RfMVbeiGSi77Ypan0t0u0ZU4J3HkT88TxrjNUfHDhKVr3w8Rf3UncZUYSMiHri-tNRsyscOFGLY~gPgY77D73LHbhJ9uH3HWJUMqLysyxR9SZ8x2FsAr5ZdiNLag16Wng1hsWRAXDv-fWkYXnm8P9P9HO9sBfWYz7KOsyoj~WugS3X~Exa5stBeoVUmUmYRK4guLPmicBqUCLJh0JA95p5bcM6QNACes7x~Tuv2Ys~SK3hALTSxMhpjFaDoBS9fBH0hxEFNyjqTzyRLwsne4wKMTFvUbsaGK~YBGJg~dxZ~NhGRObLHA9FqKboJ5WeuiTe-~FyOhJd-5-yfuhJJ3jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Executive Committee approved ordinances authorizing the city to issue up to $1.3 billion in airport general revenue bonds and to establish a 2025 short‑term note program to support the Atlanta airport capital program, including Concourse D widening and to refinance outstanding commercial paper.

Courtney Knight, chief of treasury, debt and investments, told the committee that the bonds will fund ongoing capital projects under the ATL Next program and refinance existing short‑term commercial paper used for interim capital. \"As we have in the past couple of years, we've come to market with new money for the airport's capital program,\" Knight said.

Short‑term note program and bank allocations
- The ordinance establishes a 2025 airport short‑term note program designed to provide interim financing. The program authorizes three revolving credit facilities with the following allocations (as presented): Bank of America — $300,000,000; PNC Bank — $300,000,000; Wells Fargo — $150,000,000.
- The short‑term notes will support the airport capital plan and may be converted to takeout bonds if necessary.

Votes and procedural outcome
The committee voted to approve the bond ordinance on substitute and the short‑term note program; both measures passed by unanimous committee votes (7 ayes, 0 nays).

Why it matters
The borrowing will fund large capital projects at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport and refinance commercial paper, affecting the city’s capital financing plan. Committee members asked about market volatility; Knight replied that while market volatility is elevated, Atlanta’s credit remains attractive to investors.

What’s next
The ordinances authorize the issuance and delegate final sizing, interest terms and certain approvals to city finance officers and airport managers, as permitted by the bond documents. The measures proceed to full council for final action and execution of financing documents as market conditions permit.","The committee authorized issuance of up to $1.3 billion in airport general revenue bonds (series 2025 A/B) and approved a short‑term revolving note program backed by revolving credit allocations from Bank of America, PNC and Wells Fargo.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Atlanta finance committee advances FY26 personnel paper after sharp debate over 1,200 ‘unfunded’ vacancies

Committee confirms two mayoral/council appointments to audit committee and contract compliance office

Finance committee approves up to $1.3 billion in airport bonds and new short‑term note program