On November 12, we presented the City's first quarter General Fund financial results to the City Council. Due to the rapidly declining economy, revenues are down by approximately 12.6% and we project a $50-60 million shortfall for the fiscal 2009 year.
To address these economic challenges, we announced three cost-saving measures to reduce expenses and close the projected shortfall; a hiring freeze, a weekly 4-hour furlough for all employees working in General Fund departments beginning with the December 11 pay period, and proposed the commitment of $12M in reserves to offset the loss in revenue. Collectively, we estimate that these measures will close approximately $37-42 million of the projected shortfall.
In order to close the remaining shortfall, we have indentified an additional $13.9M in reductions which we will implement over the course of the next month.
$3 million in Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs
- Maintain 11 recreation centers
- Delay opening of 9 pools
- Eliminate various arts programming, including Jazz Fest
$2.5 million in Public Works
- Pick up yard trimmings and recycling biweekly rather than weekly
- Cancel last two neighborhood street cleanings (2 this year rather than 4)
$1 million in Planning and Community Development
- Reduce permitting staff by 20% to reflect decline in permitting activity
$7.4 million in various administrative and support department reductions
Total of 222 filled staff positions have been eliminated
City Hall and City Hall East will be closed to the public on Fridays. City Hall and City Hall East will be open to citizens from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday.
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Online Permitting System (PWOPS) – serves as a 24 hour mechanism for Utility/Franchise Companies to apply and receive permits.
The most prominent change to our operations would occur within Solid Waste Services. Our external customers may be impacted as a result of a consolidated weekly trash collection schedule, effective January 5, 2009.
Household garbage collection will be changed from a 5-day pickup to a 4-day pick-up schedule, Monday – Thursday. Friday pick ups will be either absorbed within the Monday through Thursday pick up schedule. Friday customers will be notified of their new pick day.
Recycling and yard trimmings will be changed from weekly to bi-monthly.
Note: We will continue to handle emergencies as required in accordance with our standard operating procedures.
MUNICIPAL COURT
The Municipal Court will continue to be open for extended hours Mondays through Thursdays 7:00 am – 7:00 pm, but will be closed on Fridays beginning December 12, 2008.
Defendants wanting to pay fines will be able to use online and telephone payment services 24 hours a day-7 days a week or pay in person during Monday through Thursday.
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The following eleven recreation centers will remain open Monday- Thursday. They will also be open on Fridays only for the afterschool programs. All other City of Atlanta operated facilities and program services will be closed on Fridays including Natatoriums and Tennis Centers. Adjustment in their hours could be expected over the next two weeks. Camp Best Friends sites should be anticipated to be among the eleven centers below with hours announced in the early spring.
1) Adams Park Recreation Center (Currently operating at Oakland but will return to Adams)
M-Th 1pm-8pm
Fri. 2:30pm-6:30pm
Sat. 10:00am-4pm
Sun. closed
2) Adamsville Recreation Center
M-Th 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat. 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sun. 10:00am - 2:00pm
3) Bass Recreation (Office site until Coan is renovated for Therapeutic Site) COAN Park after renovation
M-Th 2:30pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat. and Sun. closed
4) Ben Hill Recreation Center
M – Th 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 8:30pm
Sat. 10:am - 4:00pm
Sun. 10:00am - 2:00pm
5) Bessie Branham Recreation Center (Teen Site)
M-Th 2:30pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Sat. 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sun closed
6) Grove Recreation Center
M-Th 2:30pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat. & Sun closed
7) MLK Recreation Center
M-Th 2:30pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat. 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sun closed
8) Morningside Recreation Center
M - Th 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat. & Sun. closed
9) Peachtree Hills Recreation Center
M - Th 12:00 pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat. & Sun. closed
10) Pittman Recreation Center
M-Th 2:30pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat. 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sat. & Sun. closed
11) Rosel Fann Recreation Center
M-Th 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat. 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sun. 10:00am - 2:00pm
City-operated outdoor swimming pools at Pittman Park, Grant Park, and Adams Park will open at the end of May as usual. All other City of Atlanta outdoor swimming pools opening will be deferred to a later date after June 30, 2009. Pools operated by Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs partners at Chastain Park, Piedmont Park and Garden Hills schedules will not be impacted by City of Atlanta furloughs and budget cuts.
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For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26