AIM presents largely flat FY26 budget, prioritizes cybersecurity, Microsoft Copilot and AI pilots

Jason Seke, chief information officer for the City of Atlanta and head of the Department of Atlanta Information Management, told the City Council Budget Committee that AIM’s fiscal 2026 proposal is largely flat year over year while the department advances cybersecurity and digital service projects.

“We realized approximately $1,500,000 in savings, and we are poised to realize approximately $2,000,000 in revenue for FY '25,” Seke said, and he outlined goals to find additional savings and revenue in FY26.

The department said recent work includes an integrated customer relationship management system, a live chat function, AI protocol enhancements, a new managed security service provider, and an additional tiered security architecture. AIM described collaboration with the Atlanta Police Department on technology supporting public safety and with Comcast Business to upgrade infrastructure at community centers.

Seke described multiyear technical priorities: finalizing a segregated Tier 3 data center, aligning systems with a zero‑trust security framework, rolling out Microsoft Copilot, piloting generative‑AI tools for internal and external services, and instituting cost monitoring and auditing processes.

On staffing, AIM reported roughly 104 filled positions and 46 vacancies. Seke said some vacant positions are fully funded, some are partially funded and some are unfunded. In response to committee questions, he described a current vacancy rate under 5% as presented in AIM materials but made clear that that figure depends on whether unfunded positions are counted.

Committee discussion focused on whether the department’s modest net reduction in contracted services and the mostly flat overall budget leave room for delivering planned projects. Council President Shippen asked about per‑user license costs tied to headcount; Seke said license fees are a variable cost and estimated roughly 10% of the AIM budget is tied to per‑user licensing such as Microsoft 365.

The committee did not take a formal vote on AIM items during the hearing; members moved on to the next department after questions. AIM officials said they will follow up with requested details on headcount, vacancy funding status and the composition of planned savings and revenues.

The committee will review AIM again as part of the broader City budget process.