CCI Policy Updates: May 6, 2022

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 – May 6, 2022

City of Atlanta FY2023 Budget

Mayor Andre Dickens has released his proposed operating budget to the Atlanta City Council for fiscal year 2023 – totaling $2.28 billion. Over the next few weeks, the council will hold hearings with each city department to review what’s proposed and will make any adjustments before the budget is finalized by the end of June.

What's in Atlanta's new budget and how do you fit in? (Atlanta Civic Circle)

Atlanta Housing Leadership Change

Four members of Atlanta Housing’s Board of Commissioners have submitted their resignations to allow for appointees from Mayor Dickens.

Mayor aims to shake up Atlanta Housing board with four new appointees (Atlanta Civic Circle)

Early Voting

Early voting for the May 24th primary and special election is underway. In addition to races for federal, state, and county offices, City of Atlanta residents are voting on two infrastructure bonds and renewal of the TSPLOST transportation sales tax. The Atlanta City Council is looking to put measures in place to address concerns about previous infrastructure and transportation spending.

Some metro Atlanta voters getting wrong ballots (AJC)

City Council aims to rebuild trust in Atlanta's TSPLOST program (Axios)

Your voting guide to Atlanta's TSPLOST infrastructure measures (Axios)

APS Rezoning

The Atlanta Board of Education preliminarily approved school superintendent Lisa Herring’s proposal to open a new elementary school in Midtown and rezone other Atlanta Public Schools students. A final vote may be postponed from June until August.

Atlanta superintendent wants new elementary school in Midtown area (AJC)

Midtown parents upset as Atlanta school rezoning plan moves forward (AJC)

Opportunities to Engage Next Week:

Monday, May 9

• 11:00am – Atlanta City Council Zoning Committee

• 2:00pm – Atlanta City Council Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee

• 7:00pm – NPU V and NPU X

Tuesday, May 10

• 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

• 6:30pm – NPU L

Wednesday, May 11

• 8:30am – Atlanta Beltline Board of Directors Meeting

• 9:30am – Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee Meeting

• 1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Finance & Executive Committee Meeting

• 7:00pm – NPU T

Thursday, May 12

• 12:00pm – MARTA Board of Directors Working Session

• 1:00pm – Invest Atlanta & URFA Housing Committee Meeting

• 1:30pm – MARTA Board of Directors Meeting

• 2:00pm – Invest Atlanta TAD Project & Policy Committee Meeting

• 3:30pm – Invest Atlanta Economic Development Committee Meeting

• 6:00pm – Atlanta Beltline Northside Study Group Virtual Public Meeting

What We’re Reading:

• Where—and how—Atlantans want to live now (Atlanta Magazine)

• In Atlanta, the scooters are here to stay — for now (AJC)

• Thieves are stealing homes in Georgia: How they're getting away with it, and how you can protect yourself (11 Alive)

• Community members say they're concerned about growing homeless population (WSB-TV)

• City of Atlanta proposes $9 million to relocate Forest Cove residents (WABE)

• Does Affordable Housing Lower Property Values? (Bloomberg CityLab)

• Gaping holes in the claim of 2K ballot 'mules' in Georgia, other states (WABE)

• There's a Big Difference Between Transit Boards and Riders (Governing)

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.