Atlanta's city employees are set to receive a notable bump in their paychecks next year. Mayor Andre Dickens has confirmed that an additional $4 million is being poured into salaries for 2024, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The bolstered funds are part of an effort to increase the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for city workers from the previously slated 2.5% up to 3.5%, a gesture aiming to acknowledge the commitment and fortify the competences of Atlanta's workforce.
Serving as more than just a means to say thanks, this boost in pay is designed to strategically invest in the people who keep the city's gears grinding. Mayor Dickens labelled the move as "a heartfelt thank you to our employees and a recognition and reward for their dedication." The Mayor's goal is to ultimately make "Atlanta the best city to raise a family," as Mayor Dickens told 11Alive.
The timing of this raise appears to be preemptive in anticipation of a comprehensive pay and class study the city has undertaken with initial results expected to be incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The idea is to ensure Atlanta's salary scale remains ahead of the curve, remaining both competitive and equitable for its employees. Alongside the salary spike, the city promises to uphold its competitive benefits for employees without upping costs for the second year in a row.
The COLA increase signifies Dickens' dedication to continuing to broadly support the city's employees. "This increase is not just about fair compensation; it's about investing in the backbone of our city—the hardworking individuals who contribute every day to the betterment of Atlanta," the mayor stated. Earlier this year, the Dickens administration had already approved a 2.5% COLA and retention bonuses for frontline workers, a fact reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. This latest additional one percent hike in COLA is directly aligned with Mayor Dickens' vision of positioning Atlanta as a model employer for both its current workforce and those aspiring to join public service.
