Atlanta is considering a multi-billion-dollar decision: whether to extend our 8 Tax Allocation Districts. The outcome will shape how schools, infrastructure, and essential city services are funded for years.
Join us for an upcoming TAD Talk to make sense of it, together. RSVP: bit.ly/tadevent
Atlanta voters approved light rail on the Eastside Beltline.
Last May, a committee stopped work on the Streetcar East Extension—without a public vote and without telling the public for months.
Learn more: civicatlanta.org/blog/a-secre...
This is a moment for elected officials across the city, county, and state to clearly and publicly commit to a plan of action that protects those most at risk.
Our work continues. 2/2
We stand in solidarity with our peers in Minneapolis, Atlanta, and across the country who are using every tool available to defend our communities. We refuse to be silent about the terror and violence inflicted by ICE. 1/2
APS has so far refused to pay the Commission's independent counsel — something that reportedly hasn't been the case in the 12-13 years he's worked in this capacity.
The Commission is looking to hold a hearing on a complaint against former board chair Erika Mitchell.
We’re at the first School Board Ethics Commission meeting of the year.
Unbeknownst to the public, a small group of officials from the city of Atlanta, the Atlanta Beltline and MARTA voted to stop all work on the Eastside Beltline light rail project more than six months ago: www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
"All eyes have been on this project, and this project is pretty much the linchpin to a lot of other things to take place... It’s almost like a unilateral decision that was made by a few individuals on a widely watched project."
- Atlanta City Council member Byron Amos
www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
People seated around a long conference table during the NRIC meeting in a bright room with large windows.
Close-up of an Invest Atlanta handout titled “What the NRIC Commission Will/Won’t Do,” listing responsibilities and limitations with green check and red X icons.
This morning, we attended the first Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative Commission meeting. The discussion covered the NRI, Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), and the Commission’s role in a potential $5.5B in community redevelopment.
Learn more at civicatlanta.org/blog/nric
We’ll be digging into what these decisions mean for APS in our education newsletter. Sign up at civicatlanta.org/newsletter
4️⃣ The board voted to renew Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School’s contract for another 5 years.
3️⃣ Winter testing results are in. APS saw gains in reading and math for students in grades 3–8 from fall to winter.
However, 8th grade math achievement across the district remains below the state average.
2️⃣ APS administration shared plans to launch an Accelerated Literacy Model in 3 schools starting next school year.
The model, based on one at The Speech School, includes 200 hrs of professional learning per year, financial incentives for participating teachers and more.
1️⃣ Earlier in the day, 4 APS board members were sworn in, and the board selected a new chair and vice chair.
New committee assignments were also announced during the meeting.
APS School Board kicked off the year with its first meeting. Here are 4 updates you should know 🧵
We’ll be actively monitoring legislation that impacts Atlanta & breaking it down along the way.
Check out all the state legislators that represent parts of Atlanta on our website: civicatlanta.org/elected-offi...
State law plays a major role in what cities & counties can do. It can allow, restrict, or directly dictate local policy.
For example, under Georgia law, cities are not allowed to set their own minimum wage.
Fulton County’s priorities include:
⚖️ Supporting SB 10 to add a Superior Court judge & county-funded judicial officers
💻 Allowing legal notices to be published online, not just print
🏛️ Supporting local control & home rule authority
🛡️ Opposing waivers of sovereign immunity
🎟️ Create a per-ticket fee for major events
🌊 Require data centers to disclose water usage
🚗 Add a fee to paid parking in private decks & lots
🚓 Expand education & career incentives for police officers
🏘️ Waive development fees for affordable housing
Each year, both the City of Atlanta and Fulton County set legislative priorities for the General Assembly.
For Atlanta, priorities include opposing changes to the ownership of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int'l Airport & the Atlanta City Detention Center, along w/ proposals to...
The General Assembly includes Georgia’s State House and State Senate. Together, they are the state’s lawmaking body.
In practical terms, they:
📜 Write, debate, and pass state laws
💰 Approve Georgia’s state budget
What happens here shapes local policy across the state.
The Georgia General Assembly convened yesterday for the start of the 2026 legislative session. Lawmakers are scheduled to meet through Thursday, April 2.
This session matters for Atlanta. Here’s why 🧵
Atlanta Board of Education updates:
✔️ The Board has sworn in three new members and one incumbent
✔️ Jessica Johnson is the new Board Chair
✔️ Ken Zeff is the new Vice Chair
This Week in Atlanta is a cumulative effort from the CCI team. Every week, we attend meetings for the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb and Fulton counties, and more. We report that info back in ways that actually make sense. To support this work, go to civicatlanta.org/donate.
Mark your calendar for upcoming events Atlanta Board of Education Monday, January 12 10:00am – Swearing-In Ceremony and Organizational Meeting 2:30pm — Board Meeting 3:00pm – Ethics Commission 6:00pm — Community Meeting Atlanta City Council committee meetings Monday, January 12 – Wednesday, January 14 see citycouncil.atlantaga.gov for full schedule Atlanta Commission on Women Tuesday, January 13 at 6:00pm DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, January 13 at 9:00am Invest Atlanta Tuesday, January 13 2:30pm — Housing Committees 3:00pm – Finance Committee Thursday, January 15 9:00am — Board of Directors meeting
(7/7) Mark your calendar! 🗓️
• atlantapublicschools.us/boe
• citycouncil.atlantaga.gov
• dekalbcountyga.legistar.com
• investatlanta.com
Study finds thousands of DeKalb families “trapped” in extended-stay hotels A new study by Georgia State University’s Center on Health and Homelessness, conducted with the Single Parents Alliance and Resource Center, found more than 4,600 people living in extended-stay hotels across DeKalb County. A door-to-door survey of 42 hotels identified 1,635 children living in what researchers described as a “shelter of last resort.” Although designed for short stays, 45% of households had lived in hotels for at least a year, and 16% for five years or more. The study found households paid an average of $1,852 per month, often for substandard conditions. Nearly half reported insects or rodents, and only 25% said children received federally required educational support. Researchers said identifying this “hidden” homelessness could help better target housing assistance.
(6/7) A GSU study found more than 4,600 people living in extended-stay hotels across DeKalb County. 45% of households had lived in hotels for at least a year, and 16% for five years or more. news.gsu.edu/2026/01/07/a...
DeKalb County considers equity fund for data center revenue The DeKalb County Commissioners are considering a resolution that would dedicate 50% of future property tax revenue from high-technology data centers to equity and environmental uses. Under the plan, 25% of data center revenue would fund libraries, senior and youth services, and community beautification, while the remaining 25% would go to general fund reserves until the County reaches a 90-day operating balance. Commissioner Ted Terry, who introduced the proposal, said the goal is to ensure that property tax revenue generated by data centers benefits communities bearing the facilities’ impacts. The proposal prioritizes neighborhoods within three miles of a data center. Eligible uses include utility assistance and home weatherization, workforce retraining, and green infrastructure such as trails and forest buffer land.
(5/7) DeKalb Commissioners are considering a resolution that would dedicate:
• 50% of future property tax revenue from data centers to equity and environmental uses
• 25% to fund libraries, senior and youth services
• 25% to general fund reserves decaturish.com/news/dekalb/...
Fulton County revises Veterans Commission The Fulton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the Veterans Empowerment Commission (VEC), focusing its role on supporting veterans through existing County programs and services. The Board approved $250,000 for housing programs and $200,000 for arts and culture efforts such as memorials and events. The Commission has received about $3 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds since it was established as an advisory body in 2021. As that funding sunsets, Commissioner Marvin Arrington proposed $1 million in annual County support beginning in 2026, but the measure failed by one vote last year. Commissioner Bob Ellis, who sponsored the changes, said the VEC has not produced recommendations and argued the revised model will better integrate veteran services into existing County programs.
(4/7) Fulton Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the Veterans Empowerment Commission, focusing its role on supporting veterans through existing County programs and services. The Board approved $250K for veteran housing programs. fulton.granicus.com/player/clip/...
Fulton Commissioners delay 2026 budget vote The Fulton County Board of Commissioners postponed voting on the nearly $1.1 billion fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget until January 21. The County Manager and Chief Financial Officer said Fulton ended FY2025 with about $20 million more than projected, largely due to tax collection timing. Despite that surplus, the budget assumes a property tax rate increase of 0.39 mills, or about $62.40 annually for a $400,000 home. The updated budget proposal adds $19.5 million for compliance with a federal consent decree addressing “unconstitutional and unlawful conditions” at the County jail, bringing total consent decree funding to roughly $53 million — triple last year’s spending. Much of the increase would pay for the hiring and retention of detention officers. Commissioners also asked for revisions to fully fund two new State Court judges and their staff.
(3/7) Fulton Commissioners postponed voting on the nearly $1.1B FY2026 budget. The proposed budget adds $19.5M for compliance with a federal consent decree addressing conditions at the County jail.
ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Atlanta Mayor, Council, Judges sworn into office Mayor Andre Dickens and City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet were sworn into a new four-year term of office along with 15 Councilmembers — including new members Kelsea Bond (District 2), Thomas Worthy (District 7), and Wayne Martin (District 11) — and ten incumbent Municipal Court judges. In his inaugural address, Dickens highlighted progress on housing, homelessness, and public safety, and renewed his push to extend the city’s Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) to fund infrastructure and housing. Overstreet pledged to make City Hall more accessible by holding town hall meetings across the city. After the ceremony, Councilmember Andrea Boone (District 10) was elected president pro tempore, to run full Council meetings in the President’s absence. Overstreet also announced her assignment of chairs and members to the Council’s seven committees.
(2/7) Dickens highlighted progress on housing, homelessness, and public safety, and renewed his push to extend the city’s Tax Allocation Districts (TADs). Overstreet pledged to make City Hall more accessible by holding town hall meetings across the city. atlantaciviccircle.org/2026/01/06/a...
