The Center for Civic Innovation's mission is to increase civic participation and elevate more effective solutions in Atlanta by inspiring people to take action, investing in the work of local community leaders, and advocating for policy change. We believe that informed and civically-engaged residents are the key to making Atlanta the city we all know it can be.

We started this Weekly Policy Update series to provide our community with important and relevant policy updates. Each post recaps the past week and provides a look ahead at what's on the agenda next week, including opportunities for everyone to engage within the community. We hope you’re inspired to take action, support and invest in local community leaders, and advocate for public policy that reflects the needs and voices of everyone who calls Atlanta home.

Policy Update – January 21, 2022

Public Safety Task Force & Commission

The Atlanta City Council passed legislation on Monday to create a new Buckhead Public Safety Task Force. A resolution to expand the citywide Public Safety Commission, a group that was created last year but has yet to meet, was sent back to committee.

Atlanta City Council Approves Buckhead Safety Task Force, Honors Georgia Bulldogs (press release)

Buckhead safety task force passes city council; public safety commission expansion sent back to committee (Atlanta Intown)

Atlanta City Council Member Keisha Sean Waites Issues Statement Following Committee Vote to Establish Buckhead Public Safety Task Force (press release)

Unfilled City Appointments

The AJC reports that there are currently 488 unfilled appointments across the City of Atlanta’s 123 boards, authorities, commissions, etc. (BACEs) – over 1/3 of all positions.

Across Atlanta's boards and commissions, nearly 500 spots sit unfilled (AJC)

Board, Authority, Commission, Etc. (BACE) (Atlanta City Council)

Mayor Dickens’ Transition Committee

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced the full membership of his transition committee. The team includes members of the LGBTQ community, faith leaders, corporate executives, small business owners, and nonprofit leaders. The team includes four subcommittees: Safe Streets, Ethics, Youth & Education, and Neighborhood Empowerment.

Mayor Andre Dickens Announces Full Transition Committee (press release)

Fulton County Budget

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2022 budget, totaling $1.25 billion. The budget includes $75 million in spending to help address the county’s backlog of 206,000 court cases and $38 million for this year’s elections.

Fulton OKs $1.25B budget, with money for elections and court backlog (AJC)

Fulton commissioners approve $1.2M to study cost, location of new jail (AJC)

Georgia State Budget

The Georgia General Assembly held budget and appropriations hearings on the governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The approximately $30 billion budget represents an 11% increase over last year, but remains below the state’s 2008 budget on a per-capita basis.

Overview of Georgia's 2023 Fiscal Year Budget (Georgia Budget & Policy Institute)

Opportunities to Engage Next Week:

Monday, January 24

10:00am – Development Authority of Fulton County (DAFC) Strategic Initiative Committee Meeting
11:00am – Atlanta City Council Zoning Committee Meeting
2:00pm – Atlanta City Council Public Safety Committee Meeting
6:15pm – NPU M
7:00pm – NPU Z

Tuesday, January 25

9:00am – DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting
10:00am – Atlanta City Council City Utilities Committee Meeting
1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Community Development & Human Services Committee Meeting
2:00pm – Development Authority of Fulton County (DAFC) Board Meeting
6:30pm – NPU O
7:00pm – NPU J
7:30pm – NPU D

Wednesday, January 26

9:30am – Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee Meeting
1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Finance & Executive Committee Meeting
7:30pm – NPU W

Thursday, January 27

9:30am – MARTA Board Committee Meetings

Friday, January 28

7:00pm – NPU N

Other Opportunities:

2022 Atlanta Urban Design Commission Awards

The City of Atlanta’s Urban Design Commission is seeking nominations for its annual design awards. Nominations are due by February 28. (more info)

Point-in-Time Count

Partners for HOME is seeking volunteers for Atlanta’s annual point-in-time count of the city’s sheltered and unsheltered homeless population. (more info)

Bowen Homes Workshops

Atlanta Housing is hosting a series of community workshops to plan for the redevelopment of the former Bowen Homes site. (more info)

At the NPUs:

All of the Neighborhood Planning Units have returned to meeting this month after some took a break in December. Many have new leadership following elections back in November. Leadership – old and new – will be taking training classes from the Department of City Planning this month.

What We’re Reading:

To make these updates better, we need your input! What was most informative or helpful? What did we miss? Please email us at policy@civicatlanta.org.

CCI Policy Updates: January 21, 2022