City of Atlanta Budget Process

Overview

There are four main entities involved in conceptualizing and finalizing the budget.

Mayor

prepares and submits the proposed annual budget ordinance to the City Council no later than its first regular meeting in May, preceding the commencement of the fiscal year
considers the resolution submitted by City Council’s Finance/Executive Committee, based on council members’ suggestions for budget priorities
Mayor and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) may choose to consider the resolution in preparing the budget

City Council

holds one or more public hearings on the proposed budget; advertises said meeting(s) in a general-circulation newspaper at least seven (7) days before the date of the hearing
amends the proposed annual budget as many times as necessary, so long as the final version allows for all legal and Charter-mandated expenditures
City Council has until the end of June to adopt the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year

Budget Commission

(The Budget Commission consists of the Mayor, CFO, Chair of the Council’s Finance/Executive Committee, and two other members of the City Council.)

works alongside City Council to submit an anticipated revenue report to the mayor for use in preparing the budget
upon filing revenue anticipations, needs no approval or disapproval, as they are binding upon the City Council

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

five days before the meeting at which the final budget will be submitted to the City Council, the CFO must provide a complete detailed written copy of the final version of the budget

December-January	all departments prepare, enter and upload data
March	budget kick-off
April	updates to budget proposed budget book draft review & finalization
May	budget overview department briefings budget amendments public hearings for property tax millage rate (morning & evening)
June	Budget Commission meets to approve anticipations full City Council votes to adopt budget ordinance. Mayor approves/vetoes adopted ordinance.
July 1	new fiscal year begins