Atlanta Faces $20M Budget Shortfall, Potential Layoffs

Atlanta is staring down a $20 million budget deficit as it heads into one of its toughest budget seasons in recent years. With soaring overtime costs and uncertainty around federal funding, city officials are considering layoffs and departmental cuts of up to 10%. Mayor Andre Dickens will present his proposed budget by May 2, with the City Council set to vote by June’s end. Council member Howard Shook warned this may be a “no budget” year for new spending. Hiring is frozen unless approved by the mayor’s office, and city employees are being ordered back to the office at least three days a week.