Atlanta’s proposed $995M general operating budget increases police, fire spending

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has proposed a general operating budget of $994.6—the largest in the city’s history—for fiscal year 2027 (FY27), which begins July 1. 

The general operating budget covers most of the city’s services. 

Dickens proposed a $3.16 billion budget overall, including enterprise funds like airport and water services. 

City of Atlanta FY27 budget season kicked off Tuesday with briefings to the city council presented by members of the mayor’s cabinet and representatives from the four main city employee labor unions. 

Nearly 50% of the proposed general operating budget will go to public safety, meaning police, fire, EMS and corrections.

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) budget proposal includes an increase of $16.5 million, or 5.4% over the FY26 adopted budget. This includes an increase of $4 million in sworn salaries, $6.3 million in mandated and required pension payments and $2.9 million in contract services.

APD’s proposed $324.4 million budget makes up 32.6% of the general operating budget, up 1% from last year.

During public comment at Monday’s city council meeting, representatives of community violence intervention (CVI) groups warned the city focused to much on policing as the main method of public safety, and asked the council to dedicate 1% of the city’s budget to local CVI organizations.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department budget is proposed to increase by $8.9 million, or 6.5%. Of that increase, $6.5 million is proposed to go to pension and retirement payments and an additional $1.6 million for group health and other insurance.

Council Member Kelsea Bond questioned why the budget proposes increases in police and fire services while decreasing parks and recreation 4.8% and transportation 3.8%. 

CFO Balla stated that with required pension payments, “no math” would have resulted in “a different posture.”

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Police union pushes for lowering pension service requirements, warns of sickouts for World Cup

International Brotherhood of Police Local 623 representatives said the most important factor in retaining APD officers is lowering the pension service requirement from 30 years to 25 years. Pensions have been among the top concerns raised during APD employee exit interviews over the past three years, according to the union. Last year, the council approved new pension plans but did not change the length-of-service requirements.  

“The city has a responsibility to recognize the toll of a law enforcement career, a 25-year retirement option honors sacrifice and supports healthier transitions,” said Sgt. K. Riester, Local 623 vice president. 

Union representatives said APD officers are burning out from working so many special events and are leaving for other cities.

“FIFA is 12 hours a day. We’re probably going to see some burnout and sick-outs,” Riester warned.

Despite concerns about overwork and burnout, APD’s attrition rate is lower this year. Local police union president Lt. C. J. Murphy said this, in part, due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the overtime opportunities it offers. 

Firefighters union says pay is not competitive

The International Association of Firefighters Local 134 has been battling with Mayor Andre Dickens over a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and pay increases for months. Dickens sent a letter to the union on Tuesday stating his intent to sign the CBA on May 11, according to Atlanta Civic Circle. Dickens told the outlet earlier this year that he would not sign the CBA, citing “irregularities” in the election of the local union president, Nate Bailey. 

Bailey did not run in a re-do election held on May 4, but he continues to serve as the state-level president, a position he has held for five years. 

Both Bailey and his successor, Capt. Alvin Rashad, were present for the IAFF’s budget briefing on Tuesday.

The pair argued that firefighter pay is inadequate. The city commissioned a “classification and compensation” pay study in 2024 to assess compensation levels of major cities across the country. The 2024 study proposed pay ranges starting at $58,667 and capping at $68,691 for rank-and-file firefighters after 15 years of service. A similar study was conducted in 2019, which also proposed a $68,000 cap after ten years of service. 

The firefighters’ union learned through open records requests that a draft version of the pay study proposed a $59,000 to $75,000 range based on data from comparable cities. 

The council was scheduled to vote on May 3 on an ordinance to update firefighter compensation to more competitive wages; however, the bill was referred back to committee. City Council Member Wayne Martin said he motioned to refer the ordinance back to committee at the request of the union. 

In addition to issues of competitive compensation, Bailey also discussed the need for annual medical and physical screenings, providing a second set of personal protective equipment and the need to purchase more firefighting vehicles. The union presentation noted that “the last date every apparatus was in service was November 2021.” 

What happens next?

The City Council is projected to finalize and approve the FY27 budget on June 1.

The public has an opportunity to weigh in on the budget directly with the city council on May 20, 2026, from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the interactive community budget public hearing. 

Just one resident attended the public hearing for the FY26 budget held last year.