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Atlanta City Council Approves Pay Raises for Leaders

Atlanta City Council members engaged in discussions about pay raises.

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News Summary

The Atlanta City Council has voted for significant salary increases for themselves, the council president, and the mayor, with new pay rates set for 2026. The raises, while notable, are less than initially proposed by the Elected Officials Compensation Commission. The council’s decision reflects efforts to ensure city leaders and employees are compensated fairly in an expensive housing market. Alongside, a pay increase for more than 9,000 city employees was also approved, aiming to foster equity within the workforce.

Atlanta City Council Gives Green Light for Big Pay Raises

In the bustling heart of Atlanta, the city council made a significant decision that is sure to raise some eyebrows. On Monday night, council members approved a pay raise for themselves, the council president, and the mayor — a move that has been on the horizon for some time. With the last adjustment happening back in 2020, this pay increase comes at a pivotal moment as we look ahead to the future.

What Are the New Numbers?

Here’s the scoop: after the approved pay raises take effect in January 2026, the salary for each council member will jump from $72,630 to a whopping $99,930. That’s quite a hike! The council president won’t be left behind either, with a salary increase from $74,000 to $103,250. And let’s not forget about the mayor — Andre Dickens will enjoy a pay bump from $202,730 to $236,865!

Looking Back at Earlier Proposals

100% for some city leaders. Their reasoning? They wanted to ensure that council and school board members could afford to live comfortably in Atlanta, where the average house price is around $400,000.

The commission had suggested a hefty pay for the mayor — envisioning a new salary of $271,000 — a 36% increase — and looking for a jump to $127,500 for council members, which was a hefty 76% increase. Even school board members were in line for a staggering 133% increase to $70,000.

Future Elections in Play

This pay raise decision ties into the upcoming 2025 election cycle for the mayor and council members. While the committee gave a unanimous nod to the commission’s recommendations, a formal proposal is still needed to bring these salary adjustments into reality.

To add some more cheer, the Atlanta City Council also passed a pay increase for all city employees, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance compensation and promote equity among the workforce, impacting more than 9,000 employees! It even includes a proposed new pay structure with a $17.50 minimum wage.

Impacts on Public Safety and More

Specific adjustments for public safety personnel are set to range from 7% to 15% as part of this new classification and compensation plan. The pay increases for city employees will roll out in two phases: the first wave starts on January 1, 2025, followed by the second phase on January 1, 2026.

The Bottom Line

In sum, while the pay raises for city leaders may have been toned down compared to earlier proposals, they signal a commitment by Atlanta’s leadership to tackle compensation issues. With a focus on establishing a more equitable pay structure and ensuring that those in public service can afford to thrive in the city they serve, the council’s decision is certainly a move that will impact many lives. Buckle up, as 2026 could shape up to be a year of change for Atlanta’s public servants!