September/October 2023

September/October 2023

ADVOCACY. SERVICE. INNOVATION.

Columns & Features In This Issue Youth & The Next Generation in Georgia’s Cities | Georgia’s Youth in Crisis Bridging Divides | Why Youth Philanthropy is Important

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Table of Contents FEATURES GEORGIA’S YOUTH IN CRISIS: HOW COMMUNITY LEADERS CAN HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH....................................................................................... 5 CITIES AND SCHOOLS PARTNER TO CONNECT WITH YOUTH........................ 14 EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION: YOUTH INTERNSHIPS TRANSFORM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE STATE............................................... 32 CITYSCAPES....................................................................................................... 8 + GMA President: Bridging Divides: Lessons in Civic Discourse from Our Nation’s Youth + GMA Executive Director: + Expert Editorial: Dr. Caitlin McMunn Dooley Talks with Georgia’s Cities CITY DESK.........................................................................................................12 + City of Decatur Named 2023 All-America City Award Winner + City Spotlight: Climax INSIDE GMA......................................................................................................18 + Navigating the Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate Program + Heart and Soul Downtown Workshop to Showcase Bainbridge’s Collaborative Success + Consultant Q&A: Artiffany Stanley, Districts 6 & 9 + Updates Around GMA + Georgia Downtown Association Hosts 2023 Annual Conference in Canton + Live Virtual Downtown Development Authority Basic Training Class + Newly Elected Officials Institute Set for February and March 2024 + Why Youth Philanthropy is Important ADDITIONAL + Downtown Development: Get Comfortable…with a Brewery Giving Back.............36 + Federal Focus: Georgia Municipal Association Hosts 2023 Statewide Broadband Summit....................................................................................... 41 + Towns & Law: DEI Programs in the Wake of Recent Court Decisions...................... 42 CITYLITES......................................................................................................... 44 + Fairs & Fests + Georgia Gem: Watson Bridge State Park

FOLLOW GMA ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook & LinkedIn: Georgia Municipal Association | Twitter: @GaCities

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Georgia’s Youth in Crisis

How Community Leaders Can Help with Mental Health

BY ALIA HOYT

Many of Georgia’s youth are being caught up in the ongoing mental health crisis, and the numbers are sobering, to say the least.

According to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, approximately half of mental health disorders start by the age of 14, with one in five children suffering from at least one type of mental illness, like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and so on. In fact, suicide is the second most common cause of death in children aged 10 to 14, behind only unintentional injuries, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Left unchecked, mental health issues can lead to catastrophic consequences even further down the line. In 2020, CDC revealed data that one in four young adults (ages 18 to 24) considered suicide in the previous month. Black youth, in particular, saw an extreme uptick in suicide attempts from 1991 to 2017.

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 5

CLEARLY, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. TO help Georgia’s community leaders better navigate this increasingly challenging path, “Georgia’s Cities” talked to Roswell-based Dr. Chinwé Williams to get her insight and recommendations. Dr. Williams is a licensed professional counselor and owner of Meaningful Solutions Counseling & Consulting, as well as the co-author of two books: Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection and Beyond the Spiral: Why You Shouldn’t Believe Everything Anxiety Tells You.

These Mental Health Issues Are Affecting Georgia’s Kids the Most While its tempting to blame the ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic for the current mental health situation, this crisis has been ramping up on a national scale for many years. explains “We are seeing alarming, shocking trends,” Dr. Williams says, noting that one in 10 Georgia youth struggle with major depression.

“This is not, ‘I feel sad,’ or ‘I’m having a little trouble,’” she explains. “These kids are meeting the criteria for a mental health diagnosis.”

Rates of anxiety, in particular, have grown exponentially in recent decades. Although there is not just one cause of this increase, Dr. Williams notes that the rise began in 2007 when smartphones hit the marketplace. “I think our world is moving at an increasingly fast pace and I do not think our nervous systems have been able to keep up with the pace of technology,” she opines, adding that this is even tougher for young, developing brains.

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That, coupled with reduced face-to-face communication and increased expectations of academic and athletic success, is sending many kids into a tailspin.

“Because we have the internet, our kids can see other kids being successful and measuring themselves against what they are seeing on TV or the internet.” Dr. Williams says. “I see a lot of adolescents in therapy right now feeling the pressure to succeed in ways that previous generations did not.”

In addition to suicide risk and anxiety, bullying has exploded as a source of distress for Georgia’s youth.

“Locker room bullying is very pervasive among athletes, but cyberbullying is a significant issue,” Dr. Williams says, adding, “Older generations define bullying really differently.” It’s important for the powers that be to get a handle on bullying because the effects are far-reaching. In fact, one in 10 students who drop out of school entirely do so because they’re being bullied, and a full 35 percent of students have been threatened online. Dr. Williams continues, “Bullying leads to suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety.”

Here’s How City Officials Can Help the Youth Mental Health Crisis While the stigma surrounding mental health is less than it used to be, it is still very prevalent today. Dr. Williams says community leaders need to sound the alarm to encourage people to get help. “I always tell families and leaders, this is an all hands-on deck situation,” she says.

“There may be resources available to help, but they are not being accessed because mental health means you are ‘crazy.’”

Talk about mental health in a positive way Dr. Williams suggests that community leaders create initiatives to promote informal conversations about what mental health looks like. Enlist the help of local healthcare professionals to lead these discussions. “When you frame mental health as more akin to physical health it gets families to be more open to the discussion,” Dr. Williams says. Be sure to cover the signs of bullying, anxiety and depression.

Work with schools and faith communities Collaborate with school systems to ensure that teachers are trained to recognize the many symptoms of impending mental health events, which vary widely by age and gender. “Advocate for funding for more school counselors and mental health professionals whenever possible,” Dr. Williams suggests. After-school programs are also key to helping students and parents navigate the issue and learn what to look out for.

Faith communities can also be mobilized to help with mental health. “Faith for a lot of people is an important element of support, so faith communities can play a key role along with teachers, doctors, mental health professionals and community leaders,” Dr. Williams says.

Encourage prevention efforts Preventing a full-blown mental health event is far preferable to treating it. Dr. Williams says that Georgia’s youth can use some tools and activities to keep their mental health at optimum levels.

First, physical activity is incredibly effective at reducing depression, anxiety and negative feelings, so encourage affordable programs to keep teens moving.

Also, consider leaning on the positive end of technology. Although society gives screens a lot of grief, there are some ways in which it is definitely beneficial. Dr. Williams regularly suggests apps to her adolescent patients like Calm and InsightTimer for mindfulness and Moodfit or Daylio for mood-tracking. “There’s a positive association between pausing and being mindful and mental health,” she says.

Make it easy to find and get help A lot of parents want to help their children, but don’t know who to trust or turn to. Provide clear, step-by-step information on your community’s web site, via mailers, etc. on how to access a local crisis line, a list of counselors, support groups, and so on. “Mental health is influenced by a web of interactions a young person has with teachers, family members, people in their community,” Dr. Williams says. These days, with all of the treatment options and broadened understanding of mental health there’s simply no need for a person or family to suffer in silence, and cities throughout Georgia can be a significant part of the solution.

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 7

CITYSCAPES

Bridging Divides: Lessons in Civic Discourse from Our Nation’s Youth RANDALL WALKER, GMA PRESIDENT

In today’s world, where political and social divisions seem to deepen daily, we are bombarded with news of an increasingly polarized society.

IN FACT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT you are currently witnessing such divisions in your own community, leaving you wondering about how to navigate through them. Recently, I came across an inspiring example of how students at a high school in Virginia are tackling the issue of polarization, which offers valuable insights as we address our own challenges.

The students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology found themselves in the midst of a heated debate concerning changes to their school’s admissions process. This debate was not unique to their school; it reflected the broader polarization plaguing our nation. Some adults in the community viewed the changes as a compromise of academic excellence in favor of diversity, while others considered it a long-overdue effort to diversify the student body.

As the debate raged on, the Parent Teacher Student Association teetered on the brink of dissolution, and the U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to hear a lawsuit challenging the changes.

However, amidst this turmoil, these students had an epiphany: factional squabbling achieves nothing, that when society fractures into opposing camps, meaningful conversations about addressing the root issues become impossible. Recognizing that their curriculum was not adequately preparing them for constructive debates, they took matters into their own hands.

Under the guidance of outside experts, these students developed a program called Dialectic. It equips students with the skills needed to engage in 8

constructive dialogue, fostering the ability to respect opposing viewpoints and work towards better solutions.

The essence of Dialectic lies in the belief that the best outcomes emerge from a competition of ideas and a compromise on solutions. In the case of their school’s admissions process, they acknowledged that both the old and new approaches had merits and flaws. Instead of rigidly adhering to one side or the other, they are exploring solutions that acknowledge the concerns raised by both camps.

These high school students are demonstrating that it’s possible to set aside tribalism and learn how to disagree calmly, honestly, and effectively. Their example serves as a beacon for all of us in leadership positions on how to navigate the treacherous waters of polarization. They show us that consecutive, respectful disagreement is not just a lofty ideal but a vital necessity for a functioning democracy.

The efforts of these students underscore a crucial lesson for all of us privileged to serve our communities nationwide: in a democracy, we must learn to engage in constructive, respectful disagreement.

Constructive disagreement isn’t just a matter of civility for its own sake, it’s the lifeblood of our democracy. It’s time to move beyond the destructive cycle of polarization and to embrace a strategy for resolving our differences that is rooted in dialogue, empathy, and collaboration.

Finding common ground, even amid differing options, is the key to progress. And that’s the example we should be providing our youth, the leaders of tomorrow.

Our Youth. Our Future.

LARRY HANSON, CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Developing youth leaders and an emerging workforce in our cities and the state of Georgia has never been more important than now.

IN THIS POST-PANDEMIC ERA, our young people face unique challenges, from economic uncertainty, changing dynamics in the job market, and workforce readiness to mental health stressors. As city leaders, we must pay attention to our youth because they are critical to the future success of our communities.

Many Georgia cities are moving to the forefront of these issues by intentionally dedicating time, resources and energy to the support of young people and nurturing our future leaders.

GMA worked with the National League of Cities (NLC) to compile examples of how our cities supported youth with ARPA funds. The results were encouraging.

Cities partnered with local school boards and community organizations to offer support in afterschool and summer programs, parks and recreation infrastructure, workforce training opportunities and support services for postsecondary students, youth employment programs, youth support services such as mental health counselors, library programs, and infrastructure, city partnerships with K-12 schools or districts, and youth re-engagement programs.

Georgia City Solutions (GCS), a GMA-managed nonprofit, has made youth engagement and leadership a core of its programming as well as building youth literacy. Some of the work so far has included supporting youth forums and symposiums, developing the ‘Georgia Caroline’ children’s book series, and the Mayor’s Reading Club to promote literacy. I’m excited about the work I am seeing from GCS, and we encourage all cities to get involved.

Additionally, Georgia cities are building leaders for the future. Currently, there are more than 35 Youth

Councils in the state. Youth Councils are particularly instrumental in offering high school students an insider’s perspective into municipal government operations.

Students gain firsthand experience, learning the ins and outs of local governance, participating in city projects, and providing input on city policies and initiatives pertinent to youth and the community. These experiences enrich their understanding of civic responsibilities and foster a deep, lasting connection to their communities.

For example, the City of Dublin’s Youth Council program meets regularly, attends Dublin City and Laurens County Commissioner Meetings, holds voter registration drives in schools and the community, attends youth conferences held by GMA and the NLC, and makes presentations throughout the community and more.

Cities are also supporting their Youth Councils and youth leaders from their communities to attend the 2023 Youth Symposium in LaGrange this October. This weekend event will bring together more than 100 Youth Council participants from all over Georgia. These young leaders will meet to share ideas, explore solutions to pressing issues, and cultivate the crucial skills necessary for effective leadership. Supporting youth leaders to attend the symposium is just one-way cities can cultivate the leadership pipelines in their cities.

As city leaders, among our many responsibilities, we must ensure our youth are prepared, empowered, and inspired to lead with wisdom, compassion, and vision. Georgia’s youth embody the promise and potential of our great state. By continuing to prioritize and expand youth leadership development, we are not just imagining a brighter future for Georgia; we are diligently building it, one young leader at a time.

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 9

MELISSA HABERLEN DEWOLF, J.D., M.P.H TALKS WITH GEORGIA’S CITIES In an interview with Georgia’s Cities, Melissa Haberlen DeWolf, J.D., M.P.H., Voices’ Research and Policy Director shares an inside look into the work that Voices for Georgia’s Children has done throughout the state for more than 20 years, as well as to share how their organization is working to advance laws, policies and actions that improve children’s lives throughout the state.

GC: Voices for Georgia’s Children is celebrating 20 years of service in Georgia. How has the organization became a trusted source of information in the communities you serve all over the state?

GV: Focused on the Whole Child, Voices researches, develops, and advocates for enhancements across an array of interconnected needs of children: a solid start in life; a healthy mind and body; a strong, stable family; quality out-of-school enrichment; actual and perceived safety; and fair treatment. In 20 years, our team has grown from a mere few to more than two dozen professionals who bring with them varying but complementary areas of expertise and skill. Our staff comprises one of the largest research and policy divisions of any nonprofit our size, strong operations and finance personnel, and those working under the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) division. Together, our research, policy development, trainings/education, and advocacy have earned the attention and respect of myriad policy stakeholders, including those in state and federal executive and legislative branches, state judiciary members, other policy and advocacy partners, those in various sectors of academic institutions, and (in positive ways) the press.

As a result, Voices is called upon by such stakeholders to advise upon and lead on issues of state and federal policy more than ever before.

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GC: What steps is the organization taking to ensure that all children throughout the state thrive in the next five years and beyond?

GV: In any given year, we are working to: • Enhance and ensure high-quality Early Childhood Education practice and programs, including Georgia’s Lottery-funded Pre-Kindergarten Program; • Increase the number of children who have health insurance coverage; • Expand school-based health and mental health services; • Lower infant and maternal mortality (e.g., by ensuring health insurance coverage and care access for mothers and infants; supporting evidence-based home visiting programs; and expanding access to and understanding of maternal depression and infant and toddler mental health); • Expand quality of and access to Out-of-School Time (OST) learning opportunities across the state; • Improve family stability by improving access to resources, services, and information; • Improve effectiveness and functionality of Georgia’s child welfare system; • Reduce youth involvement in the juvenile and adult justice systems; and • Eliminate bias, discrimination, and disproportionately in all child/family-serving government systems and touchpoints

GC: What are some current challenges or trends that Voices for Georgia’s Children are seeing in the youth climate throughout the state today? If so, are there ways cities and leadership can help alleviate some of these issues?

GV: Perhaps the most pressing issue right now is the Medicaid Unwinding. The public health emergency initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted policymakers to pause the disenrollment of Medicaid enrollees. With the cessation of the public health emergency, states must redetermine eligibility for everyone on Medicaid. We know that the majority of Georgians who receive Medicaid are children. As of August, we saw only about 35% of participants who are due to renewal maintaining their coverage. We need help getting the word out to participants. Cities and government leadership can help get the word out to citizens that this is going on. Spread the word about the website staycovered.ga.gov.

GC: What resources are currently available from your organization for local governments that may want to provide help and resources to their residents?

GV: Anyone interested in learning more about child well-being in Georgia should check out our All About Kids: Factsheets about Georgia’s Children factbook and the Whole Child Primer, 3rd Edition. The factbook features dozens of factsheets that take a deep dive into data and disparities in six areas of child well-being, as well as highlighting certain areas of the child-serving workforce and budget information that is relevant to child-serving agencies in the state. The Whole Child Primer provides an easy-to-read overview of child policy, data, and targeted recommended – grounded with more than 300+ sourced facts – to improve lifelong outcomes for all kids, birth through young adulthood.

Community members can also stay informed during

each legislative session by signing up for our Legislative Updates and exploring our Legislative Resources at georgiavoices.org/legislative-resources/. Leaders can use these up-to-date resources to stay informed about the well-being of children across the state of Georgia and in their own regions and use them to develop local, evidence-based policies.

Additionally, we have a campaign focused on improving the mental health and well-being of children and youth called Free Your Feels. Local leaders can spread the word about the resources with school districts and other child-serving community organizations, such as out-of-school programs in the area.

GC: What are some current initiatives that Voices for Georgia’s Children have currently implemented aligned with the organization’s goals?

GV:Perhaps most interesting to municipal leaders is our project with the city of East Point, Georgia in which we have worked with local leaders to identify existing policies that may create or perpetuate health disparities. We convene community residents and partner organizations to discuss their experiences with local policies. From these conversations, we were able to identify ways to improve local policies, such as changing the city’s code related to urban agriculture, community benefits ordinance, and inclusionary zoning.

Another important project that we are working on is our HealthyUS pilot program. We have placed a child and family support specialist into child care centers to help families and teachers with the benefits enrollment process, as well as successfully navigating the healthcare system, connecting them with community resources to ensure safe and stable living environments, and helping them learn behaviors that improve the well-being of children and families as a whole.

They also receive assistance navigating the health care system.

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 11

CITY DESK

City of Decatur Named 2023 All-America City Award Winner The National Civic League has once again named the City of Decatur one of 10 All-America Cities at its annual meeting held in June.

DECATUR SHOWED THE POWER OF INVOLVING youth, and all residents, in identifying and addressing community challenges.

Applicants submitted their community-wide work on engaging youth to create more thriving communities, and the field was narrowed to 20. Finalist communities presented their projects and their communities to a jury. Decatur’s presentation focused on the Decatur Youth Council, participation in UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative, the recently installed Playground at Decatur Legacy Park, and other youth-inspired initiatives.

Decatur first received recognition as an All-America City in 2018 for its Equity & Inclusion efforts through the creation of the Better Together Community Action Plan; the Police Department’s intentional focus on community engagement and training; and the I Am Decatur project coordinated by Beate Sass.

To learn more about the projects visit nationalcivicleague.org/2023-allamerica-city-finalist-decatur-ga/.

To view the presentation, visit facebook.com/decaturga.

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JOIN PSC COMMISSIONER TIM ECHOLS

FOR AN EV VISION TRIP TO CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 15-19, LOS ANGELES AND SURROUNDING AREAS

COMMISH

Cost only $99 plus travel expenses.

Trip highlights include a visit with city officials in Santa Monica, Pasadena and Los Angeles See solutions for multi-family charging, airport charging, municipal charging and park facilities Visit includes time at LA Clean Tech Incubator, Pacific Coast Highway, Petersen Car Museum and opportunity to ride transit

Space is limited so register soon by contacting Commissioner Tim Echols at techols@psc.ga.gov

City Spotlight

Climax

NAOMI NORTON

Where the peak of the railroads meet, the City of Climax is the place to be. Located near the Georgia, Florida, and Alabama border with a small population of about 276, the City of Climax is a crossroad of the Waycross-Montgomery Railroad line and the Chattahoochee Branch of the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway. Serving as a rail junction and an agricultural community for many years, Climax flourished with businesses, churches and other services. However, it was not incorporated as a rail junction until August 11, 1905.

POPULATION:

276

MAYOR:

Joseph Kelly GMA DISTRICT:

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The town’s economic strength has declined due to the decrease in railroad use and the expansion and development of highways and transportation cargo. Nevertheless, Climax has been a key landmark in the railroad industry in Georgia, as the name is taken from being the highest point between Savannah and the Chattahoochee River.

Climax is known for its name and crossroad of railways, and its well-known attraction, the Swine Time Festival. The festival occurs on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, where many can enjoy fall-themed activities and events, along with historical tours of local buildings.

The surrounding area of Climax includes the City of Bainbridge, where there is an abundance of shops, water sports, and fishing. Travel a little farther to access Lake Seminole and Flint River for other outdoor attractions.

Cities and Schools Partner to

Connect with Youth

BY NIKKI PERRY

City-led youth leadership programs are a proven way to build civic engagement in a community, according to Georgia Family Connection, a statewide network of 3,000 local partners working to strengthen families and communities. It can be a struggle, however, for local governments to grab the attention of teens, who are saddled with numerous academic and extracurricular activities. The cities of Eatonton and Carrollton have created successful partnerships with local school systems to facilitate successful youth leadership programs.

EATONTON COUNCILMEMBER JANIE REID created her city’s youth leadership program, which kicked off in January 2021. The first class of 13 high school students stayed engaged through activities like team building at Rock Eagle, an escape room, a community cleanup, the Cities United Summit in Atlanta, and an interactive municipal government class taught by the city’s elected officials. A tour of city facilities is one of the most beneficial activities for students and the city, Reid said. In addition to city hall and other municipal departments, they visit the arts center and museum.

“In conversations on the bus, I hear them say, ‘I did not know we had this in Eatonton,’ and ‘I’m going to tell my parents,’” Reid says. “It is the things they wish they had in the community; they already have it, and they did not know it.”

Activities like these keep kids engaged, but Reid said the city found that it was difficult for the teens to

find time in their busy schedules for the program. When formulating a youth leadership program, Reid said it is important for city staff and officials to remember that they are competing with a host of other educational and extracurricular activities. The curriculum should be engaging, enriching, and not overly demanding. That is why the city approached the Putnam County School System in 2022 to propose a collaboration, she said.

Now the Eatonton Youth Leadership program is a weekly part of an elective course at Putnam County High School. The curriculum was developed with the help of the school system and the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia. The City of Eatonton budgets $15,000 to cover expenses, including curriculum materials and training, facilitator stipends, field trips, transportation, lodging, event registration, and a graduation ceremony.

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 15

Reid expects the elective to have a more lasting impact on the students. “If it’s something they signed up for school, they are being tested on it and get a grade on it. That’s true learning,” Reid states.

The first Carrollton Youth Council was sworn into “office” in January 2022. As partnership between the City of Carrollton and Carrollton City Schools, the dozen high school students meet monthly during school hours at city hall. Students are nominated by the high school administration and selected by the city leadership. The program is led by Sgt. Meredith Hoyle Browning, Public Affairs Officer for the police department.

“Currently, my group meets with our local leaders periodically, and they get to share their ideas and opinions. They attend city council meetings and have the opportunity to give feedback at a later date,” Browning said. “Our leaders love this and have taken some of their ideas that will hopefully come to fruition soon.”

From the program coordinators to the students involved, the personal connections made during youth council activities are valued most.

“What inspires me most about this program is the relationships built between the students,” Browning said. “I have a unique perspective with 20 years in law enforcement and I admit that sometimes I find myself ‘worrying’ about society and where we are headed.

Then I watch this group of kids and their resilience, compassion, and love for one another, and my faith in humanity is restored,” she said.

Joshua Lewis, a freshman at the University of Georgia, took time between classes to talk with GMA about his experience with the Eatonton youth leadership

program in 2022. Lewis said one of his biggest takeaways was meeting the elected officials who make important decisions for his city and state.

“They’re real people and they’re people who make a difference in our town and where I’m from. It’s interesting to see how they got there,” Lewis said.

Getting Started “For cities looking to start a youth council, I highly recommend it! It’s rewarding for everyone involved,” Browning said. “I jumped in headfirst with no idea what I was doing or how, but luckily, I was able to find resources online and lean on another program for guidance and advice.”

GMA offers a Youth Council Guidebook, statewide directory and sample documents at https://www.gacities.com/Engage/Youth-Councils.aspx.

Cities can also reach out to the Georgia Family Connection for resources. To access community well-being data or find contact information for your local Family Connection Collaborative, use the Data Tools and Collaborative Finder pages at gafcp.org.

Find more resources at gacities.com or contact Artiffany Stanley, Member Services Consultant, at astanley@gacities.com or (678) 686-6285.

“When we take the time to listen to our young people—whether through surveys or directly engaging with them—then work to meet their needs, it can lead us all toward greater trust and civic participation.”

Elizabeth Turner, Georgia Family Connection

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Carrollton, Carroll County

Eatonton, Putnam County September/October 2023 | gacities.com 17

INSIDE GMA

Navigating the Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate Program If you have ever wondered about the intricacies of municipal revenue administration and the complex world of taxes and fees, the GMA has the perfect program for you.

THE MUNICIPAL REVENUE ADMINISTRATION Certificate Program offers an enlightening and comprehensive educational experience for municipal employees and officials, shedding light on various revenue sources and applicable laws in the administration and collection process.

The Path to Professionalism As the foundation of any local government, municipal revenue administration plays a pivotal role in ensuring communities’ financial health and sustainability. With a deep

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understanding of revenue sources and tax laws, municipal employees and officials can make informed decisions, enhance professionalism, and effectively serve their communities.

The Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate Program has been designed with several clear objectives in mind: 1. Comprehensive Knowledge: The program aims to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the major components of property tax collection, helping them navigate the complexities of the tax system effectively.

2. Diverse Revenue Sources: It’s not just about

property taxes; the program also covers various other revenue sources, such as public utility tax, sales tax, E-911 prepaid wireless fees, and more, ensuring a holistic approach to municipal revenue administration.

3. Resource Empowerment: Equipping local governments with the tools and resources needed to manage their revenue sources efficiently is a primary focus of the program. This includes understanding collection and distribution methods and leveraging available tools and resources.

4. Professionalism: Knowledge and skills are the cornerstones of professionalism. The program aims to elevate the professionalism of municipal employees and officials by imparting the necessary knowledge and skills.

5. High Standards: Maintaining high standards of professionalism is crucial when serving communities.

The program helps develop the skills necessary to uphold these standards effectively.

Who Can Benefit?

The Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate Program is open to various individuals involved in municipal governance and administration. This includes: • Municipal City Managers: Those responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a city.

• City Clerks: The individuals who handle official records and documents for the city.

• Finance Officers: Professionals managing the financial aspects of a municipality.

• Customer Service Staff: Frontline employees who interact with residents and businesses daily.

• Elected Officials: Even elected officials can benefit from a deeper understanding of municipal revenue administration, allowing them to make informed decisions.

The program is created to be adaptable to the changing laws and trends. The curriculum is modified

as needed, and additional courses may be added to keep participants up-to-date with the latest developments in revenue administration.

Dates and Locations The Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate Program in 2024 offers three cohorts throughout the state: 1. January 31 - February 22: Held at the Georgia Chamber in Tifton 2. July 10 - August 1: Hosted at the MEAG Power training center in Forsyth 3. October 23 - November 7: The final cohort of 2024 will take place at the Lumpkin County Library in Dahlonega These strategically chosen locations ensure that participants from various parts of the state can access this valuable training.

Required Courses: To achieve the program’s objectives, comprehensive courses have been crafted to provide a well-rounded understanding of municipal revenue administration. The courses are: Ad Valorem Tax 101 (6 Credit Hours) This course dives deep into ad valorem tax, covering classifications, codes, exemptions, the digest approval process, property assessments, appeals, millage rates, and more. It also delves into special property classes, such as timber, mobile homes, motor vehicles, and real estate transfer. Participants will gain insight into the distribution of various taxes and grants, providing a holistic view of the tax system.

Alcohol Excise Tax and License Fees (3 Credit Hours) This course explores the world of alcohol excise tax and the licensing of different alcohol classes, including breweries, brewpubs, and distilleries. It also covers

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 19

special events, private clubs, and catered functions requirements. Understanding the responsibilities and processes of the Georgia Alcohol and Tobacco Division is crucial, and this course delivers the necessary insights.

Customer Service & Best Practices (6 Credit Hours) Exceptional customer service is a cornerstone of effective municipal revenue administration. In this course, participants will learn proper etiquette when dealing with customers and discover proactive strategies to prevent issues. The course emphasizes tips and tools for a productive and positive workday and includes sharing ideas and best practices from seasoned professionals.

Delinquent Tax Collection (6 Credit Hours) Delinquent taxes can pose significant challenges to municipalities. This course offers a step-by-step process for collecting delinquent real and personal property taxes. It covers issuing fi fa’s tax liens, identifying ownership changes, and executing legal tax sales.

Participants will also learn about responsibilities after property sales, issuing tax deeds, redeeming sold properties, and foreclosing the right of redemption.

Additionally, the course explores best practices and strategies for collecting delinquent taxes, including navigating bankruptcy laws.

Governmental Fund Revenue Sources 101 (6 Credit Hours) This course provides an overview of laws that enable local governments to impose taxes and fees not covered in other classes. Topics include hotel-motel taxes, insurance premiums, franchise fees, excise taxes on rental vehicles, energy excise taxes, user fees, grants, fines, and other intergovernmental revenue sources.

Participants will learn how to classify each revenue source according to the Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCA), discover best collection and tracking practices, and create a revenue manual for their city.

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Occupation Tax and Regulatory Fees (3 Credit Hours) Occupation taxes and regulatory fees are vital revenue sources for municipalities. This course provides an overview of Georgia law related to occupation taxes and regulatory fees. It covers various methods for calculating occupational tax license fees, regulatory fees, and permit fees. Additionally, the course delves into insurance license fees, financial institution taxes, and other relevant taxes. Participants will gain insights into collection and tracking methods, ensuring compliance with legal requirements like SAVE and E-Verify.

The Path to Certification After completing the required courses, GMA will award participants the prestigious Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate. This certificate signifies a commitment to professionalism and a testament to the knowledge and skills acquired through the program.

In addition to the certificate, the city of the certified participant will receive a press release highlighting their achievement. This recognition boosts the individual’s career and reflects positively on their municipality.

The Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate Program offered by GMA is a valuable opportunity for municipal employees and officials to enhance their understanding of revenue administration. In a complex and ever-evolving field, staying informed and skilled is essential for effective governance. This program empowers individuals to serve their communities better and contribute to their municipalities’ financial health and prosperity by offering a comprehensive curriculum and flexible scheduling. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to municipal administration, the program provides the tools and knowledge needed to excel in revenue administration.

Heart and Soul Downtown Workshop to Showcase Bainbridge’s Collaborative Success AILEEN HARRIS

Downtown Bainbridge is bustling, and participants of the upcoming Heart and Soul Downtown Workshop will be able to see firsthand why.

AFTER A FOUR-YEAR ABSENCE, THE WORKSHOP will return on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, showcasing recent downtown redevelopment in the city of Bainbridge.

“There is a lot of foot traffic downtown,” explained Bainbridge Downtown Development Director Amanda Glover. “The foot traffic is stirring the community and

investment interest. Residents are heeding the ‘shop local’ concept and supporting our local business.”

The workshop was developed by the city of Bainbridge and the Georgia Cities Foundation and is part of the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute’s curriculum, and those eligible for training certificates will receive six hours of credit towards a training certificate,

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15 – BAINBRIDGE, GA

even if the participant has previously completed a Heart and Soul Downtown workshop. The training institute is operated through a partnership between GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG).

“We chose Bainbridge to host the upcoming Heart and Soul Workshop because of the successful partnership between the city and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA),” said Cindy Eidson, GMA’s director of Community and Economic Development and managing director of the Georgia Cities Foundation.

“This collaboration has bolstered multiple projects across the city from building rehabs, hotel development, restaurants/retail projects, upper story residential, park development, rental housing along the riverfront, and placemaking initiatives that have made this South Georgia city a shining star for the state.”

Glover is developing mobile tours for workshop participants where they will see various recently completed downtown projects. One will be the Willis Park Hotel located in the downtown square. Initially built in 1899, the hotel had been vacant since the 1950s until couple Tyler and Heather Thomas completed a threeyear renovation in 2021. They created a boutique hotel with six stylized rooms and a balcony, allowing guests to enjoy downtown and Willis Park views.

Also on the tour will be the Alderman Building. This recently redeveloped historic building once included a hardware store and now contains three commercial retail spaces on the ground floor and four apartments on the second floor. In addition to touring the building, participants will hear one of the retail business owners discuss what attracted them to downtown Bainbridge.

Another stop on the tour will be Chason Park and the Riverwalk, which connects downtown Bainbridge to the Flint River. A historic area, Chason Park is being expanded to include playgrounds, a flexible lawn, a splash pad, and a grand staircase connecting the play area to the riverfront. “It had long been a goal of the mayor and city council to do more with the riverfront,” Glover said.

Additionally, workshop participants will travel two blocks north of the town square to visit Warehouse at Calhoun. A 1903 building that served many uses over the years, including a train depot storage facility, shipping warehouse, Studebaker dealership, and a grocery store, the Warehouse is now a mixed-use project that includes commercial and retail spaces and showcases the building owner’s unique furniture design and gallery business.

Bainbridge DDA Director Amanda Glover overlooks the Chason Park expansion construction.

A new public restroom sign in downtown Bainbridge.

Heart and Soul Downtown Workshop participants will see recently renovated downtown Bainbridge buildings.

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One of the takeaways that participants will leave the workshop with is that progress happens when the city and the DDA work together.

“The public portion of your DDA needs to play a crucial role in the development of your downtown,” Glover explained. She noted that with city support, the DDA has bought and sold several downtown buildings mainly to stabilize them and to make them more attractive to prospective buyers.

“While there are naysayers, private development will follow public development,” Glover said. “Our community has shown that. We are developer-friendly and go above and beyond to make a project work for someone.”

Participants will also learn about resources for downtown development, including the Renaissance Strategic Visioning & Planning (RSVP) Program.

“Bainbridge was one of four cities that participated in the inaugural 2013 RSVP Program, a partnership between GMA, the Georgia Cities Foundation, and CVIOG,” Eidson said. “This program assisted the city by helping the local leaders focus on the importance of downtown planning and visioning by creating a design plan that the city used to do many of their downtown projects.”

Registration for the Heart and Soul Downtown Workshop is available on the event page of GMA’s website: https://rb.gy/t5tj4

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Consultant Q&A: Artiffany Stanley, Districts 6 & 9 GMA has a team of member services consultants dedicated to helping Georgia’s cities solve problems and seize opportunities.

EACH CONSULTANT HAS A UNIQUE background in municipal government and a particular area (or areas) of expertise. In this issue of Georgia’s Cities, we’ll learn more about Artiffany Stanley, who serves Districts 6 and 9.

What did you do before you became a member services consultant at GMA? I worked with the City of Dublin for 23 years in various capacities. After five years, I was promoted to Human Resources (HR)/Mayor’s Assistant and Special Projects Coordinator for 12 years, Risk Manager for two years, and Assistant City Manager for four years where I oversaw the youth programs that the city provided which included youth council, teen court and summer work program. I was the Chair for the City’s Bicentennial Celebration in 2012 and was Chair of the 51st Dublin-Laurens St. Patrick’s Festival in 2016.

How does your background help you serve cities in your districts? My experience in local government allows me to have an in-depth understanding of how city administration works. I am familiar with the processes, procedures and regulations governing cities, and

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this knowledge allows me to assist cities with streamlining decision-making and ensuring that policies and initiatives align. There are a lot of resources available to cities, and I can connect cities with those resources.

What are some common issues that you assist cities with? Most of the cities in my districts are small, and they need technical assistance with completing various reports and ensuring they stay in compliance.

I try to explain the process and offer simple solutions for simplifying future reporting requirements. Also, with my background in Human Resources, I assist cities across the state with HR consulting, which can include providing guidance and expertise on HR issues such as personnel policy review, HR operational assessments, and HR continuity when cities are transitioning in HR leadership.

What would you recommend a city official keep in mind when engaging youth when creating or developing youth-focused initiatives and programs in their cities? As city officials engage youth in their communities, it is important that they actively listen to the ideas and opinions of youth. They should give

C i v i l ~ E n v i r o n m e n t a l ~ H yd r a u l i c

youth a seat at the table and empower them by involving them in the decision-making process and inviting them to participate in advisory councils, task forces or committees related to youth issues. This not only gives them a sense of ownership but also ensures that their insights are considered.

They should not only look at the youth as the future, but they should be looking at them as the youth of today. Youth can bring a fresh and new perspective to city projects and initiatives and give city officials new insights. They should embrace the diversity of thoughts and ideas that youth can bring and always be open to change.

Do you teach any of GMA’s training classes? If so, which ones? Yes, I teach Customer Service, Sexual Harassment, Supervisory Leadership, Effective Practices for Municipal Operations, Succession Planning and classes that are a part of our Human Resource Administration Certificate program.

What is your favorite part of being a member services consultant? My favorite part of being a member services consultant is having the ability to serve cities and assist elected officials and city staff with the resources and assistance they need to be successful. I enjoy offering innovative solutions to the problems that cities face and knowing that I have made a meaningful impact makes my job rewarding and fulfilling.

Also, the ability to meet a diverse group of city officials across the state and build relationships is a great part of my job.

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Updates Around GMA Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Host Defense Panel Summit TOGETHER, THE GEORGIA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIAtion (GMA) and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) hosted a gathering of law firms that regularly defend cities and counties across the state at the GMA headquarters in late July. The event was the first time that both organizations have collectively brought together the defense firms used by both programs.

During the summit, a broad range of topics were discussed, focusing on current trends and topics driving increasing costs and expenses in Georgia’s legal

environment. Challenges at both the state and federal levels were discussed, with the possibility of several legislative remedies.

Jack Ryan, Attorney and Co-Director for the Legal and Liability and Risk Management Institute, joined the group and presented on police liability from a national perspective.

The Defense Panel Summit was designed to provide an opportunity for GMA, ACCG, and law firms that defend cities to collaborate and share ideas and experiences impacting the local government community.

2023 Georgia Government Communicators Conference MORE THAN 70 GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS from across the state gathered in Jekyll Island, Aug. 7-9 for the 8th Annual Georgia Government Communicators Conference.

The Georgia Municipal Association, in collaboration with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), hosts the conference annually for

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city, county, and state communications professionals.

This year’s conference featured informative sessions and as the catalyst for the exchange of communication ideas and best practices, including sessions such as: Communicators Role in Employee Communications, Crafting an Effective Digital Content Strategy and Communicating in a Disaster.

Georgia Downtown Association Hosts 2023 Annual Conference in Canton MORE THAN 250 PROFESSIONALS IN DOWNdevelopment-related fields from across the state gathered in Canton for the 2023 Georgia Downtown Association’s annual conference in August to promote downtown and economic development.

This statewide conference welcomed downtown professionals that were new and/or experienced downtown directors, board members, architects, historic preservationists, entrepreneurs, planners and economic development professionals.

The event provided attendees with the opportunity to network, learn and grow through a variety of sessions, topics and tours.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dublin Mayor Joshua Kight.

The conference is set to take place in the City of Thomasville in 2024.

For more information about the Georgia Downtown Conference, visit www.georgiadowntownassociation.org.

LIVE VIRTUAL DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BASIC TRAINING CLASS OFFERED ON NOV. 8-9 The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, which is operated in partnership between GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, will host a live, interactive online Downtown Development Authority Basic training class over two days on Nov. 8 and 9, from 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. each day.

THIS CLASS IS PRIMARILY DIRECTED AT THOSE who serve on Downtown Development Authorities, but it is open to all city officials. Topics include: the management of downtown as a valuable resource; the role of the authority, board members and staff; DDA laws; and the day-to-day operations of a Downtown Development Authority. The virtual class may be ideal for Downtown Development Authority board members who wish to complete their state-required training before the end of the year or those who prefer not to travel to in-person training.

The registration fee is $140, and registration is available on the event page of GMA’s website.

Those eligible for training certificates will receive six hours of credit towards a certificate upon completing the class. Registrants must attend both days of the training to receive credit for completion.

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As a reminder, the Training Institute offers four online, on-demand classes you can take at any time. The classes are: • Capital Improvement Program • Local Government Debt Methods • Open Meetings Open Records • Human Resources: An Online Course for Governmental Officials

The link to register for each on-demand class is available under the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute classes section on GMA’s website: https://www.gacities.com/WhatWe-Do/Training-Education/Harold-F-HoltzMunicipal-Training-Institute/Classes.aspx.

NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS INSTITUTE SET FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2024 In 2024, the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, operated in partnership with GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, will host two Newly Elected Officials Institute offerings.

THE DATES ARE: February 28 – March 1, 2024 University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel Athens, GA

The Newly Elected Officials Institute is tentatively scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on day one (February 28 and March 20) and run through 12:30 p.m. on day three (March 1 and March 22).

Registration opens on GMA’s website in mid-October. For more information, contact GMA’s training department.

March 20-22, 2024 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton, GA The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation (O.C.G.A. 36-45-1) requiring all mayors and city councilmembers elected or reelected after July 1, 1990, to attend and satisfactorily complete a training program designed for newly elected municipal officials.

The course includes information designed to increase the awareness of the legal, financial and ethical responsibilities of city officials.

Further, the course provides six hours of credit toward the voluntary training certificate program available through the Municipal Training Institute.

Municipal Elected Officials that previously served in office, had a break in service, and have returned to municipal elected office, are required to complete the Newly Elected Officials Institute again if they have been out of office for more than four years.

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Why Youth Philanthropy is Important KAY LOVE

The word “philanthropy” means different things to different people.

FOR SOME, IT IS THE ACT OF MAKING A monetary gift to a charitable cause; for others, it is giving of their time or advocating for a cause that is important to them. All to make the world a better place.

Adding the word “youth” to the mix is a next-level conversation because we pin our hopes, dreams and future on the younger generation. After all, in the years to come, they will run this world and this emerging group will shape the world of philanthropy profoundly. This is why molding them into responsible and caring human beings today is important.

Part of our responsibility as adults is to instill a deep appreciation of humanity in our youth and help them understand how they can positively impact the world.

Through philanthropy, we can help develop a new generation of generous, compassionate, confident leaders who value others. These are all desirable qualities in the people we want leading in the future.

In short, promoting philanthropy among youth is a way to “pass the torch” of social responsibility from one generation to the next. The key is to encourage youngsters and allow them to get involved in philanthropy at an early age. In providing this opportunity, it is important to understand the preferences and differences between the generations of donors. Young philanthropists are engaged via digital channels, and many want to participate in virtual events and functions to stay connected to their causes.

We can all point to great examples of youth participating in philanthropy nationwide. One “old school”

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example that comes to mind is the lemonade stands that pop up in neighborhoods every summer. How many of those kids donate the money (or a portion) to a charitable cause versus buying the latest toy or digital game for themselves? The answer is not a statistically valid survey of the kids who had a lemonade stand in the last year; it’s in what the kids are being taught at home and in school about the importance of giving back. If youngsters are allowed to take responsibility for their actions to improve the circumstances of others and to see the benefit of their contributions, we can ensure the continuation of the important philanthropic work that is underway across communities all over the world.

Youth Philanthropy does matter. Our future depends on it and them. It’s our responsibility to ensure younger generations get involved in community causes and start making a difference today. What are you doing in your city to allow youth to invest and give back?

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EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

Youth Internships Transform Local Governments Across the State ASHLEY BAILEY

It is an ever-evolving world, and the vitality of local governments hinges on their abilities to adapt and innovate. As the torchbearers of our future, youth represent a source of fresh, new perspectives and innovative ideas. Utilizing this potential is not only essential but also an investment in the growth and prosperity of our communities.

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Youth internships have allowed students to jumpstart their careers and supplement their courses with hands-on experience for years. Internships continue to emerge as a powerful tool for local governments to tap into this source of talent, infusing their operations with youthful vigor and unlocking new opportunities for local governments and the youth themselves.

Cities such as Thomasville and Douglasville are taking advantage of embracing youth in their workforce through internship programs that provide real-world, hands-on experiences.

The Bridge Between Classroom and Reality Internships act as a bridge between the classroom and the real world, providing young adults with a firsthand look into the inner workings of local government.

These internships offer a unique opportunity for students to apply their theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, gaining valuable hands-on experience often missing in a traditional education setting.

One such example comes from the City of Thomasville, where the city’s newly revamped 10-week, paid internship program has been instrumental in connecting college students with various departments such as

planning and zoning, human resources, and civil engineering departments.

“What I am most proud of when it comes to our program is the overall experience the interns are exposed to,” says Ricky Zambrano, Community Outreach and Recruitment Manager for Thomasville. “Various departments within the city have done a great job providing so many opportunities for these students.”

Interns who have gone through the program have been responsible for organizing and planning community events, using their creative flair in designing marketing materials for an upcoming city event and working on a project for the city’s downtown office.

“We have had interns begin on a Monday after onboarding, and by Thursday, they are out and about

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 33

helping at one of the city’s community outreach events into the late hours of the day,” says Zambrano. “It is great to see the students grow and thrive throughout their time in the program.”

The City of Douglasville offers a 12-week paid internship program for college students who attend a Georgia college, university or technical college to obtain practical work experience that complements their academic experience. Opportunities are available in the Finance, Community Development, Information Technology, Human Resources and Parks and Recreation departments.

The program was inspired by the city’s Mayor and City Manager collectively and was brought to the city’s Human Resources department for implementation.

“We are grateful for the support from leadership in making the program a reality and for our administration in being involved in the program for our interns,” said Teaa Alston-Bing, Human Resources Director for the City of Douglasville.

Since the program’s inception, the city has seen quite a positive return on investing in the future of youth interested in developing their careers and for those who have an interest in local government. The program

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has become a pilot program for the beginning of many careers.

“The program has also helped with our recruiting efforts for the city because we are filing mid-level management positions with some of the interns we have hired,” said Alston-Bing. “That young, fresh talent with the newer generations will be very helpful in gleaning how our city does business and service delivery.

We need that generation to be a part of what we do.”

A Win-Win Situation The benefits of youth internships extend beyond the interns themselves. Local governments, too, reap rewards from the partnership. Young interns’ fresh perspectives and innovative ideas often lead to creative solutions for long-standing issues. Whether streamlining or providing feedback on a new process helping to plan a city’s community outreach event, youth interns frequently serve as catalysts for change.

For both Thomasville and Douglasville, their internship programs have helped both parties to learn something new from the experience. To gather feedback and improve on processes and experience, both cities

use surveys and end-of-program celebrations to celebrate the work done by interns and obtain feedback and comments on the intern’s experiences.

Dominic Ford, Executive Director of Human Resources, Risk Management and Community Outreach for the City of Thomasville says that the city and its involved departments always express the importance of honest feedback throughout the intern’s experience from the interview, to onboarding to the very last day of their internship. “We encourage them to provide feedback, improve processes, and help us improve on what we want to do. It also helps us understand the younger generations and what they seek in a career and a job. It is balance.”

“Every year in July is National Intern Day, and when it comes around at the city, we celebrate the day with our interns to show our appreciation and thank them for their hard work,” says Alston-Bing.

Lessons Learned While both cities have received great success in their programs, they encourage other cities to take advantage of the opportunities, experiences and impact that internships can offer.

When Thomasville needed to revamp its program, HR contacted other cities with successful programs for inspiration. “Teaa and the City of Douglasville were a great resource when we didn’t have a program,” said Ford. “I reached out to her for some helpful ideas for us.” Ford states that cities should not be afraid to reach out to other cities that have programs similar to what you may be trying to create in your city. It is important to utilize the resources that you already have, see what others are doing and put your footprint on it. “Every city is different, and so is the culture.”

For cities that do not currently have an internship program, Douglasville recommends considering one as it may help with other needs for the city’s workforce.

“We’re coming from a workforce shortage in local government, we’re still trying to get the word out and about what it’s like to work in local government,” says Alston-Bing. The city has gained many new city staff from their program over the years, particularly those in mid-level leadership positions.

“Weigh the pros and cons, build on the program, and always look at what is trending when it comes to casting a diverse net with a talent pipeline and recruiting for all generations.”

Conclusion Youth internships have evolved from being a resume booster to becoming a transformative force in local government. These programs help to empower the next generation of leaders with practical skills, foster civic engagement, and infuse local governments with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. As we embrace the potential of our youth, we invest not only in their future but also in the future of our communities. Through youth internships, we bridge the gap between generations and build a stronger foundation.

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 35

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS GET COMFORTABLE…WITH A BREWERY GIVING BACK

WHEN THE CREATURE COMFORTS BREWERY WAS FOUNDED IN DOWNTOWN ATHENS IN 2014, THE GEORGIA BREWERY SCENE WAS A DIFFERENT PLACE. IN 2012, GEORGIA RANKED AT 48TH IN THE country for craft breweries per capita. While a handful of other breweries also opened in 2014, the brewery scene in Georgia was just getting started. Fast forward to now, and Creature Comforts is the 37th largest craft brewery in the United States by volume, according to the Brewers Association’s 2022 report. Creature Comforts will soon have a second brewery location in Los Angeles and their flagship beer, Tropicalia, is Thor’s beer of choice as seen in the massively successful Marvel film franchise.

While their story of success is impressive, the story of how this small business has continued to give back to its community is inspiring.

From the beginning, Creature Comforts proved to be an

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impressive corporate citizen to its home city of Athens, and to the college who educated many of their founders and employees, the University of Georgia (UGA).

Serving as the home of the local farmers market, partnering with local farmers, working with students at UGA, and on and on, Creature Comforts quickly cemented themselves as part of the community.

Creature Comforts did not stop there. In 2015, several passionate employees created an annual beer release, the Get Comfortable IPA, with a plan to donate the profits to a cause. In their first year, the Get Comfortable campaign raised $1,800 to the Community Connection of Northeast Georgia to help people in need. With the growth of the fund-raising campaign increasing to $65,000 in 2016 and to nearly $120,000 in 2017, it became clear that the program had a life of its own.

Once the program was able to support full-time staff, Get Comfortable grew into a year-round campaign. The Get Comfortable Advisory Council was created, which included local government leaders

and representatives from various non-profit organizations. Through partnerships with other Craft Breweries around the country, and making the decision to dedicate 1% of annual revenue to giving, Creature Comforts has surpassed $4 million in community impact since inception.

The current focus of the company’s mission is the Get Comfortable Literacy Initiative. This initiative, recognized as an Organizational Honoree in 2023 by GMA’s own non-profit, Georgia City Solutions, seeks to increase third grade reading rates in Athens-Clarke County. Currently, the county wide third grade literacy rate sits at 20%, and the initiative’s goal is to focus funding and support into the school system to assist in bringing literacy rates to 60% by 2027.

In 2022, a pilot program started with an underperforming elementary school in Athens with the aim of achieving a proof of concept that could be replicated

district-wide. Through a partnership with Books for Keeps, a Literacy Mentorship program was launched where Creature Comforts employees and community volunteers are oriented, trained, and paired with select second or third grade students for the school year. Weekly oneon-one sessions are dedicated to expert-developed reading games and activities. The early results show the program is working as demonstrated by improved academic achievement and personal growth of students in the program.

As Creature Comforts nears their 10th anniversary in downtown Athens, the brewery has no plans to slow down their efforts to make quality beer and to give back to the community.

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 37

Congratulations 2023 Georgia Downtown Association Award of Excellence Winners!

Main Street Hero: Toccoa – Connie Tabor

Creative New Event: Suwanee – The Ultimate Participation Trophy

Outstanding Promotional Campaign: Thomasville – Treat Yourself in Thomasville Promotional Campaign

Best Public Improvement Project: Suwanee – Better Buford Highway Project

Best Adaptive Reuse: Calhoun – Shelley Hall

Premier Partner: Americus – Fox Theatre Institute

Main Street Hero: Dallas – Helene Jones

Best Creative Fundraising Effort: Tybee Island – Tybee Island Polar Plunge

Premier Special Event: Perry – Downtown Perry Wine Tasting

Best Placemaking Project: Griffin – The Chappell Street Community Space

Best Façade Rehabilitation: Monroe – JEC Development

Outstanding Community Transformation / Downtown of the Year: Thomasville – Thomasville

Outstanding Community Transformation / Downtown of the Year: Hartwell – Hartwell

MENTORING PROGRAM To understand the complexity of a comprehensive downtown development program, new downtown professionals need quality information regarding the common practices, rules, regulations, expectations, values and core beliefs of Georgia’s successful downtown programs.

THE GEORGIA DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION (GDA) PROFESSIONAL Mentoring Program provides peer-to-peer mentoring opportunity designed to support newly engaged downtown professionals.

Since 2013, seasoned managers across the state have helped over 35 new downtown professionals navigate the field, grow their careers and reach achievements for their respective communities.

The goal of the Mentoring Program is to help those new to the field become successful members of Georgia’s downtown development team by: • Providing a positive and successful introduction/occupational transition for new professionals • Promoting the professional well-being of new professionals • Providing ongoing guidance, support, and reinforcement to new professionals through an organized, well-defined program

• • • •

Promoting excellence in management to improve Georgia’s downtowns Building awareness of the culture of the profession Increasing mutual respect and collaboration among professionals Increasing retention of new professionals # OF MENTEES

# OF MENTORS

2018

12

2018

12

2019

10

2019

10

2020

—

2020

—

2021

8

2021

8

2022

17

2022

17

2023

23

2023

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Program Testimonials “I absolutely loved my mentee experience. I feel like I found an instant friend and someone who really understood my daily work life, which is sometimes hard to explain. I am in a unique position, and I feel my mentor really helped boost my confidence and helped me learn to find my own voice. I felt like I was heard and understood and that was so great. No question was too big or too small for my mentor.” – DANYELLE RUS, HOMETOWN WARRENTON “Serving as a mentor has been a very rewarding experience. I think sometimes the line of who is mentor and who is mentee gets blurred because we learn so much from each other. I have also enjoyed stepping outside of my own city limits and getting to learn about new communities through this process – it is a lot of fun to see the different projects and efforts going on in the region.”

– LILLE READ, DOWNTOWN CARTERSVILLE “Over the past year I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the mentor/mentee program through GDA. Being relatively new to downtown development, it was great to meet those that were also new as well as more experienced professionals. It’s an opportunity to learn from colleagues that understand similar challenges and can share in your triumphs.” – ALICIA HARTLEY, CITY OF PERRY

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FEDERAL FOCUS

Georgia Municipal Association Hosts 2023 Statewide Broadband Summit More than 100 local elected and appointed officials from across the state gathered in Jackson for the 2023 GMA Statewide Broadband Summit on August 29.

THIS YEAR’S SUMMIT FEATURED PRESENTATIONS and panel discussions that focused on preparing local leaders to identify and address digital equity needs in their communities. Presenters discussed case studies

and shared information on opportunities and practical solutions that supported digital equity strategies around the state.

TOWNS & THE LAW

DEI Programs in the Wake of Recent Court Decisions GWIN HALL, SENIOR ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL

During the summer of 2023, two important cases came out that serve as reminders of something Georgia cities already knew: we must treat people equally regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

THE FIRST OF THE TWO CASES IS STUDENTS FOR Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (which was consolidated with Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina), often referred to as the “Harvard case”. In this case, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the universities’ admissions practices violated the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution because they lacked focused and measurable objectives justifying the use of race, used race as a negative factor, used racial stereotyping, and had no end date. The Court noted, however, that life experiences relating to an applicant’s race could be considered. The other case, Hamilton v. Dallas County, examined the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department’s policy of allowing male corrections officers to take full weekends off but not allowing female corrections officers to take full weekends off. The Court noted that discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin in the terms, conditions or privileges of employment could be considered an “adverse employment action” under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and allowed the female corrections officers to proceed with a claim of workplace bias.

These cases remind us that employment decisions, as well as opportunities for participation in public events or spaces, cannot discriminate against or in favor of individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex or national origin, among other protected attributes.

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What, then, of diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) programs? While these cases are meaningful, they do not appear to interfere with DEI-conscious workforce or community endeavors. Georgia cities have long known not to base employment decisions on characteristics like those described previously in this article. One could argue, however, that with the spotlight shining on ensuring equal treatment, cities’ DEI efforts may be more important than ever before. Providing training to employees – especially those making decisions relating to hiring, training, scheduling, promoting or firing employees - on topics like conscious and unconscious bias, the value that people with different life experiences and perspectives working together brings to the city, and how to have civil, inclusive conversations, could help safeguard against claims of workplace discrimination.

Similarly, it may be more important now for cities to examine their employment and workplace policies. Following the Harvard case, EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows issued a statement that the case did “not address employer efforts to foster diverse and inclusive workforces or to engage the talents of all qualified workers, regardless of their background.” The statement continued, “[i]t remains lawful for employers to implement diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs that seek to ensure workers of all backgrounds are afforded equal opportunity in the workplace.” Ensuring equal opportunity in the workplace is a lofty goal. In pursuit of

that goal, it is important that city policies are written and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Resource Guide followed in an inclusive manner. provides numerous examples of steps cities can take For example, a city examining its hiring practices to promote these goals. Examples include assessing could discover that the places it currently lists job postwhether city council meetings are accessible to the pubings, or the language used to describe job openings, do lic, whether city parks and recreational programs are not result in a diverse applicant pool. The lack of diversity available to all citizens and the ease of access, whether could be based on age, genchanging zoning ordinances Providing training to employees – der, race, or education level, could result in more workespecially those making decisions relating among other possibilities. A force housing, and whether to hiring, training, scheduling, promoting city wanting to engage with the city could ease any city-imor firing employees – on topics like more varied applicants could posed challenges to starting conscious and unconscious bias, the value consider additional locations a business. Considering city that people with different life experiences for job postings or making job operations and refining them and perspectives working together descriptions more appealing to improve community access brings to the city, and how to have civil, to different types of workopens the door for more diinclusive conversations, could help ers, or workers with different versity, equity, inclusion and safeguard against claims of workplace backgrounds, while still mainbelonging and, in so doing, discrimination. taining accuracy. Similarly, a benefits everyone. city could re-think the prerequisites it includes in a job Ultimately, cities should take care to treat people description and require what’s necessary as opposed equally regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, or to what it has demanded of past applicants, or whether national origin. A good DEI program can help achieve its processes for choosing who is eligible for training or this goal and help protect against accidental bias. promotion are as fair and inclusive as they should be.

Please consult your city attorney regarding your city’s Finally, cities have a responsibility to examine DEI DEI program and with any concerns about workplace or in their community programs. GMA’s Certified City of community bias.

CITYLITES

Fairs and Festivals October 5-8 2023 Currahee Military Weekend Toccoa

October 13 CULTURA: Fiesta Latina Lawrenceville

October 21 Brookhaven International Festival Brookhaven

October 6 Hiawassee Night Market Hiawassee

Mule Camp Market Gainesville

Fall Festival: Trunk or Treat Powder Springs

October 14 Art on Main Warrenton

Gainesville Chicken Festival Gainesville

October 6-8 Hoschton Fall Festival Hoschton October 7 Secret Santa Car Showof Oakwood Oakwood Fair on the Square Millen Taste of BBQ Suwanee 151st Birthday Celebration & Culture & Sprit Festival Smyrna Hispanic Heritage Fiesta Powder Springs October 7-8 Braselton Midievil Faire Braselton Fall Art on the Green Woodstock Norcross Art Splash Festival Norcross

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Skate Park Grand Opening Powder Springs

October 21-22 Sugar Rush Arts Festival Sugar Hill

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival Hiawassee

Rome River Jam Rome

Jasper Downtown Live!

Jasper

Pine Lake Lakefest Pine Lake

Snellville Fall Festival Snellville

October 27 BOO Fest Lawrenceville

Georgia Apple Festival Ellijay October 17-19 Sunbelt Ag Expo Moultrie October 19-29 The Greater Columbus Fair Columbus October 20 Downtown Perry’s Wine Tasting Perry

Downtown Perry Sweets & Treats Perry Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival Braselton Hoschton Trunk or Treat Hoschton Spook Fest Smyrna

October 28 Braselton Halloween PathParade & Carnival Braselton Mountain Moonshine Festival and Car Show Dawsonville October 28-29 Crafts & Drafts Smyrna 2023 Toccoa Harvest Festival Toccoa October 31 2023 Costume Parade Toccoa November 3 Suwanee Wine Festival Suwanee

November 5 Suwanee Classic Car Show Suwanee

Jingle Mingle and the Lighting of the Chicken Gainesville

November 10 Georgia Mountain Fall Festival Hiawassee

Festival of Trees Atlanta

November 11 Sportsmans Festival Warrenton Chili Cookoff & Music Festival Suwanee Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival Rockmart November 12 Christmas Arts and Crafts Festival @ Lanier Tech Cumming

November 4 Harvest Festival Lawrenceville

November 17 Moultrie Automotive Swap Meet & Car Corral Moultrie

Suwanee Wine Fest Suwanee

Christmas Made in the South Savannah

Diwali Festival Johns Creek

November 18 Campfire & Cocktails Tucker

Cotton Blossom Festival Twin City

November 18 Season of Celebration Alpharetta November 23 Lights! Lights! Thanksgiving Night!

Moultrie November 25 Annual Lighting of the Village Helen Christmas Parade, Light Up Blue Blue Ridge

To place a free Fairs & Festival listing contact gacities@gacities.com.

Please submit listings at least eight to ten weeks ahead of publication date.

September/October 2023 | gacities.com 45

GEORGIA GEMS WATSON BRIDGE STATE PARK NAOMI NORTON HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO VISIT A COVERED bridge? As they are quite rare to come across in Georgia, the Watson Mill Bridge State Park is a great place to experience such, with the South Fork River running under it. It is the longest covered bridge in Georgia, with a length of 229 feet and a sturdy build dating back to 1885. The build consists of a lattice truss system with wooden pegs, also known as trunnels. This old build structure has kept the covered bridge’s original site intact for over 100 years. Visitors can still use it today, as you can drive, bike, and walk across the historic bridge.

The Watson Mill Bridge State Park is ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors, with about 1,018 acres to experience the lush surrounding forest and camping, fishing, hiking and other attractions. Camping is prime here, as

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the locations and accessibility are easily available, along with log cabins available to reserve that sleep up to eight. Allow yourself to get outside and enjoy the scenic outdoors with the sound of the river flowing by. Not only is it great for the outdoor enthusiast, but it is also great for photographers. The thick forest and covered bridge enhance the scenic aura.

Along with the luxury of the beautiful state park, the surrounding area includes the City of Comer, with other attractions such as the glass studio, antique shops, and a distillery.

A trip to the Watson Mill Bridge State Park is a wonderful experience to take advantage of and enjoy the scenery to its fullest.

Focus SPONSOR

ORGANIZATION

AT&T GEORGIA FEATURED REPRESENTATIVE

Riley Blount,

Vice President of External Affairs

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY AT&T OPERATES ON? At AT&T, we believe connecting changes everything.

We have been connecting Georgia communities for nearly 145 years and are committed to helping close the digital divide and bringing economic opportunity to more Georgians through our investments across the state.

WHY DOES AT&T SUPPORT CITIES, WHY DO YOU HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE SUCCESS OF CITIES? When our cities and towns thrive, so does our state.

The work local leaders do is essential to driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in Georgia. At AT&T, we believe connecting changes everything – from offering equity of opportunity to transmitting a life-saving call. We are proud to work alongside GMA and local community partners to create long term solutions that encourage broadband access, affordability and adoption. From 2020 to 2022 alone, AT&T invested more than $5.3 billion in our wired and wireless networks in Georgia, keeping businesses and residents connected and helping fuel Georgia’s

thriving economy. We are committed to keeping our customers and communities connected by investing in our networks and by working with state and local governments to efficiently and effectively enhance broadband access.

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR AT&T? We are committed to expanding connectivity in all facets of our network – fiber, 5G and FirstNet. To help meet the demands for reliable, high-speed connections today – and in the future – we are investing in our fiber network. With more than 6.4 million strand miles in Georgia, AT&T Fiber is now available to more than 1.55 million customer locations in more than 100 Georgia cities. We continue to expand our 5G network in Georgia – giving residents, businesses and visitors a big boost in their wireless connectivity. And, with FirstNet, we are helping connect first responders and public safety officials in more than 225 Georgia communities.

Our AT&T team is hard at work continuing to expand our network infrastructure in communities across Georgia, and we look forward to connecting even more Georgians to greater possibilities in the future.

201 Pryor Street, SW Atlanta, Georgia 30303

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Save The Date JANUARY 26-29, 2024

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Cities United Summit in Atlanta. This annual gathering brings together city officials from across the state to address crucial municipal issues before the Georgia General Assembly. Participants can also engage in a wide array of training classes offered through our partnership with the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Registration opens in November.

Be part of shaping the future of Georgia’s Cities. gacities.com