In a continuing commitment to cut waste and abuse from the city government, Mayor Shirley Franklin today directed department heads, external agency directors and city employees to return all city-owned cars, light trucks and SUV's assigned to individuals for (non-field) administrative purposes. The mayor also recalled all fuel keys and cell phones.
Franklin, who has already vowed to cut her own office by 30 %, also announced she will voluntarily take a $40,000 pay cut, effective immediately, In explaining her pay cut, the Mayor said, "it is important during these difficult budget times to lead by example. I cannot ask others to sacrifice if I am unwilling to do so. That's what leadership is all about." The Mayor's salary will go from $141,00 to $101,000.
Franklin is taking these and other austere measures as a result of the unprecedented budget gap. It is estimated that the gap could be close to $90 million, almost 20% of the General Fund budget. The Mayor will submit the 2002 budget proposal to the City Council later this week.
The recall of vehicles, cell phones and fuel keys began this morning at the Civic Center parking lot and will continue through February 1, 2002. Each Department Head was directed to inventory vehicles assigned to departments for City operations by Thursday, January 31, 2002. Further action may result from the review of these inventories by the Mayor's team.
Vehicles excluded from the roundup this week are those used by sworn officers in Police, Fire and Corrections, as well as vehicles assigned to departments for City field operations.
The Mayor also suspended the practice of obtaining vehicles via lease agreements. Those under current lease agreements must be returned to the vendors by this coming Thursday.
In order to balance the 2002 budget and close the $90 million gap, drastic spending cuts and painful decisions are forthcoming, including possible tax increases. "The recall of city-owned vehicles will not in itself balance the budget, but it is part of the process. We must eliminate waste, abuse and all unnecessary spending from city government. I demand it and the citizens of Atlanta demand it." Said Franklin.