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Atlanta finance team proposes $3 billion FY2026 budget; leaders stress caution amid recession risk
Summary
City finance officials presented a $3.0 billion proposed operating budget for fiscal 2026, highlighting a larger general fund, planned investments in public safety and housing, and continued reliance on property tax growth while warning of national economic risks and uncertainty around FIFA-related revenues.
Mohammed Balam, the city of Atlanta’s chief financial officer, presented the administration’s proposed fiscal 2026 operating budget to the City Council on the city’s budget briefing day, saying the total operating budget proposal is $3,000,000,000 and that the plan “ensures that you have a transparent and comprehensive view of the city's financial landscape.”
The proposal includes a general fund of $975,400,000 and reflects an 8% increase in the city’s total operating budget compared with FY25. The administration emphasized right‑sizing and efficiency steps taken during FY25, including department‑level spending reductions and a reactivated vacancy review board aimed at controlling hiring and personnel costs.
Council members pressed finance staff on downside risks. Several members, including Councilmember Dozier and Councilmember Shook, asked whether the proposal is sufficiently conservative given recession risks, recent declines in tourism, and uncertainty about the net revenue from hosting FIFA World Cup matches. CFO Balam and COO Lashandra Burks said the budget team used conservative revenue assumptions and reallocated some debt service savings after council approved defeasance legislation the prior day.
The presentation also flagged investments the administration proposed to continue: completion of the city’s compensation and classification study, targeted investments in public safety and infrastructure, affordable housing allocations, and funding for Year of the Youth initiatives. Budget staff said public safety remains a priority; the public safety allocation in the proposed general fund budget is roughly $473,000,000.
Council members asked for additional detail on several items — including the composition of nonrecurring revenues in FY25, how many full‑time equivalents (FTEs) will be absorbed through attrition, and the expected FY25 year‑end fund balance — and staff said they would provide follow‑up tables and departmental hearings.
The budget packet and departmental briefings will proceed through the Council’s normal review and hearings schedule before final adoption.
