Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an Executive Order directing the City of Atlanta’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to add to anticipations and appropriations in the FY20 Budget in the amount of $88,434,611.30, which was awarded to the City pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The Order directs these funds to be utilized for “necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19), that were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020, and that were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 30, 2020.”

“Like every other municipality, the City of Atlanta incurred unanticipated expenses and loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency,” said Mayor Bottoms. “This Executive Order will ensure these emergency funds will be used to address our communities’ most pressing needs. Thank you to the Georgia Congressional Delegation for ensuring Atlanta received these vital funds to minimize the impact of coronavirus.”

The United States House of Representatives passed the CARES Act by voice vote on March 27, 2020.

Proposed uses for the funds are related public health measures, medical expenses, eviction and homeless prevention assistance, assistance to small businesses and other items.

Since the COVID-19 crisis began, Mayor Bottoms has taken a wide variety of steps to ensure the wellbeing of the people of Atlanta. Last Friday, the Mayor’s Advisory Council for the Reopening of the City of Atlanta submitted its final recommendations for a gradual reopening to Mayor Bottoms. Informed by economic indicators and medical science, the report contains evidence-based short, mid, and long-range recommendations for the safe and data-driven reopening of the City.

The Mayor will review the Advisory Council’s recommendations and the current state of COVID-19 cases in the city and will provide additional guidance in the coming weeks to ensure a safe and data-driven reopening of the City.