The Atlanta City Council has approved a $3 billion operating budget for 2026, set to begin on July 1. The budget supports public safety, housing, and community programs, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
The budget allocates $975.4 million to the general fund, including $300,000 to add two community outreach roles for the Citizen Review Board. The Atlanta Commission on Women and the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival each received $50,000 to support cultural activities. Up to $250,000 will go to the PATH Foundation’s Silver Comet Connector trail to expand recreational access.
The council also passed new environmental rules for data centers, requiring special use permits to monitor water and energy use. Rough Draft Atlanta reported that most city groups supported the measure, except for NPU-W, which opposed the broad definition of data centers.
Other budget items include $80,000 for community recreation facility upgrades and $61.3 million for sewer replacement projects in southwest Atlanta. The council also approved an ordinance promoting reflective roofing in new buildings to help reduce urban heat.
