Atlanta council approves $547 million budget

ATLANTA — The city council this week voted 13-1 in favor of a $547 million budget that officials contend puts the city’s finances on “solid fiscal footing.”

“The FY2012 budget includes vital investments for public safety, funding for critical city services and more than $20 million in savings for the city’s reserves,” Mayor Kasim Reed said in a statement. “I am pleased that because of prudent fiscal management, the taxpayers of Atlanta will not see a property tax increase.

“I am also pleased that this week’s historic vote on pension reform enabled the city to avoid personnel layoffs and draconian service reductions,” Reed added. “As a result, this spending plan delivers in the areas that matter most to residents and business owners, and puts our city in a financially strong position for the year ahead.”