Atlanta, Georgia – The City of Atlanta has revealed its proposed $3.0 billion total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026, signifying a considerable financial strategy aimed at bolstering key city services while setting the framework for long-term fiscal health. At the center of the proposal is a $975 million General Fund allocation, highlighting the city’s objectives in public safety, infrastructure, and community development.
Emphasizing both community investment and economic responsibility, Mayor Andre Dickens presented the budget as a vision for a future-ready Atlanta.
“My administration is committed to a safe, thriving Atlanta—built for the future and full of opportunity for all.” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “This proposed budget reflects those values and a steadfast commitment to strengthening our neighborhoods and strategic investment in our infrastructure.”
A major element of the proposal is an effort to offer significant property tax relief. Officials claim the city’s general obligation debt adjustment and bond millage savings repurposing will lower debt loads and enhance Atlanta’s credit profile. Noting that exemptions applied via the modified millage rate will reduce the property tax load for many people, Chief Financial Officer Mohamed Balla said these modifications will provide clear advantages to homeowners.
Emphasizing public safety, the General Fund will help pay for vital operations and services. Proposed investments cover changes to emergency response vehicles and station infrastructure as well as higher pay for Atlanta Police and Fire personnel. Another key focus is infrastructure, for which money has been set aside for civic asset maintenance, facility upgrades, and road enhancements.
“This plan helps ease the tax burden on residents while improving the City’s financial health,” said Balla. “Because property tax exemptions apply to the millage rate shifted to the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) levy—unlike the bond millage—this approach directly benefits taxpayers.”
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City Councilmember Howard Shook, who chairs the Finance/Executive Committee, commended the proposed budget’s even-handed approach. Shook said the suggested budget carefully controls expenses while increasing services and infrastructure supporting Atlanta’s future expansion, hence meeting the moment.
In addition to the General Fund, the complete $3.0 billion operational budget pulls money from several essential city departments, including Aviation, Watershed Management, and Solid Waste Services. Property taxes, sales tax receipts, and tourism-driven income from hotel and motel taxes make up the revenue mix, which provides the city a fairly steady starting point to operate regardless of inflationary pressures and other economic uncertainty.
Departments have been told to keep service levels and search for efficiency improvements. The budget shows Atlanta’s larger commitment to stay flexible and strong in a changing financial scene.
View the Administration’s budget online here.
