First Vice President: College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom
Second Vice President: Young Harris Mayor Andrea Gibby
Third Vice President: Suwanee Mayor James Burnette
Immediate Past President: Perry Mayor Randall Walker
BUILDING FUTURE THE
NOAH
J. ROENITZ, SENIOR GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS ASSOCIATE, GMA
BY THE YEAR 2060, POPULATION PROJECTIONS SAY THAT APPROXIMATELY 14 MILLION PEOPLE WILL CALL GEORGIA HOME –A 25% INCREASE OVER OUR CURRENT POPULATION.
THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS FOR THIS GROWTH: THRIVING INDUSTRIES, ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITIES, A TEMPERATE CLIMATE, LEADING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND NO DOUBT OUR WORLD-FAMOUS PEACHES, PECANS, AND PEANUTS.
Whatever the reason, we know – this wonderful state we call home will grow before our eyes.
With this growth, however, come significant challenges. More people mean more homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. It also means more cars on our roads, more strain on our water and sewer systems, and greater demand for essential services like public safety, waste management, and recreational space.
Georgia’s cities will be at the forefront of addressing these challenges, working to develop and pay for new infrastructure while expanding and improving upon what we have today. Peeling back some of these growth figures reveals another interesting trend. Of the three million people we can expect to come to our state over the next 35 years, 15% will move to what today we call rural Georgia.
Infrastructure development in rural or greenfield areas is incredibly capital-intensive, often involving building projects from scratch. Unlike urban areas, which can expand or upgrade existing systems, rural areas frequently require new roads, water and sewer lines, and utility systems to support population growth. This can pose significant challenges for local governments, as the upfront costs of developing foundational infrastructure in previously undeveloped areas are substantially higher.
Rural Georgia itself is not a static concept; exurban areas that were once quiet and sparsely populated have transformed rapidly in recent years. As someone who moved to Georgia in 2011, I’ve witnessed firsthand the seemingly exponential rate of change in the Atlanta exurb I first called home.
The shifting demographic landscape underscores the importance of strategic planning and innovative
funding mechanisms to support infrastructure development. GMA is aware of these concepts and tirelessly works to share with state and federal leaders.
One of the most effective tools we use to communicate these needs is our Capital Needs Survey, which will be updated in early 2025. This survey provides a clear picture of the costs city officials expect to incur over the next five years to make critical infrastructure investments.
The preliminary findings are striking. Analyzing just the first 100 cities that responded to the survey, which is less than 20% of all Georgia cities, the survey projects a capital need of $8.5 billion across investment categories, including transportation, water and sewer, stormwater, solid waste, public safety, land acquisition and greenspace, parks and recreation, government buildings and facilities, community, and downtown development.
This figure highlights the magnitude of Georgia’s cities’ challenges in preparing for the future. It also serves as a call to action for policymakers, stakeholders, and residents to recognize their roles in providing – assistance and support to Georgia’s cities.
Through recent advocacy efforts, state and federal partners. The alphabet soup of federal funding, including CARES, ARPA, and IIJA, has invested billions of dollars into Georgia’s cities, aiding the development of roads, water and sewer systems, stormwater projects, housing, and countless other needs.
State leadership has also stepped up, with hundreds of millions of dollars invested in or directly allocated to cities to fund road projects, water infrastructure, and housing developments.
Looking ahead, the reseeding of these investments and an evaluation of how Georgia’s cities are allowed to fund these projects themselves will be necessary. In 2025, GMA will advocate for sustained and increased funding for essential infrastructures and
expanded local funding mechanisms to empower cities to meet these growth demands.
Infrastructure investment is not just about meeting today’s demands; it’s about ensuring that our communities are equipped to thrive in the decades to come. Together, through partnerships and proactive investment, we can build a future that keeps Georgia’s cities strong, vibrant and ready to grow.
Cities United for a Stronger Georgia: Advancing Advocacy in 2025
FRED PERRIMAN, GMA PRESIDENT
As we begin the new year, we enter another busy legislative session here in Georgia and recognize the start of a new administration in Washington.
BOTH HERE AT HOME AND IN
D.C., 2025 will be filled with challenges, opportunities, and the need for strong advocacy. Whether we’re addressing infrastructure funding, public safety, housing, or economic development, one truth remains constant: GMA’s mission to advocate for the needs of Georgia’s cities is as vital as ever.
This advocacy requires not just the efforts of GMA staff, but the active involvement of city officials. It is through your voices, your stories, and your presence that the vital role of cities is best demonstrated.
The work ahead of us this year spans both the state and federal arenas. At the state level, our Legislative Policy Council has been shaping priorities that include improving transportation funding, addressing tort liability concerns, reforming annexation arbitration, and supporting legislation that keeps local decision-making in the hands of those who know their communities best. Federal efforts, guided by our Federal Policy Council, focus on preserving critical tools like municipal bonds, maintaining programs like CDBG, and addressing railway safety and federal rulemaking that impact city operations.
This work is not just about addressing challenges; it aims to strengthen our cities, enhance their resilience, and prepare them for the future. Whether advocating for additional funding to meet the increasing costs of local road projects or leveraging innovative tools and strategies to improve local infrastructure and services,
GMA is working to ensure that cities remain the backbone of Georgia’s success.
But we can’t do it alone. Just as the strength of our cities lies in the partnerships between residents, businesses, and local government, the success of GMA’s advocacy efforts depends on the collaboration of elected officials and city staff across the state. When you reach out to your state legislators, host a Hometown Connection event, or engage with your Congressional delegation, you amplify the voice of Georgia’s cities and help ensure our priorities are heard.
We also know that the best solutions come from collaboration and bipartisanship. GMA’s long-standing commitment to bipartisan collaboration—at both the state and federal levels—demonstrates that the needs of cities transcend partisan divides. Whether it’s securing funding for capital improvements, addressing housing affordability, or providing robust economic development opportunities, our focus remains on what’s best for Georgia’s communities.
As we move into 2025, I encourage you to stay engaged, stay informed, and stay active. Your voice matters—together, we can make a difference for our cities and all Georgians. The year ahead is full of possibilities, and I look forward to the strides we will make together.
Thank you for your commitment to your cities and for your partnership with GMA. Here’s to a successful Georgia legislative session, continued focus on federal challenges and opportunities, and a brighter future for Georgia’s cities.
Legislative Advocacy- A Foundational Commitment to Georgia’s Cities
LARRY HANSON, CEO AND EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
It’s hard to believe that 2025 is upon us, but here it is. With the new year comes both new challenges and opportunities. It also means the campaigns and elections are over, and now is the time to govern.
THE
GEORGIA GENERAL
Assembly convened under the Gold Dome to begin this year’s session on Monday, January 13th. There are many uncertainties about what will transpire each session. There will be bills introduced for action that are well researched and supported by general consensus. There will be bills introduced for show, and others are just to test the waters.
Some proposed legislation causes distraction and some seeks action. Some bills will move fast, some will move slowly, and some will never move. Some bills will sail while others will sink. Some will play ping-pong between the House and Senate, and others will have different versions on the same subject in each branch.
With all that uncertainty, there is one thing you can be certain of: GMA will be there under the Gold Dome each and every day. Our team of advocates will review and evaluate every bill. We will stand up for cities by opposing those bills that are harmful and supporting those that are helpful.
Our advocacy team will provide a Gold Dome update to you every Friday during the session, and we strongly encourage you to read it, and to respond to us with your questions, comments, and suggestions. If you look at GMA’s long-standing tagline, there are 3 words—Advocacy, Service and Innovation. It is intentional that “advocacy” is the first word. After all, GMA
was founded 92 years ago for that very purpose, and our commitment to legislative advocacy is unwavering.
Another opportunity for member engagement is our Friday Focus call. Every Friday during the session, we will have a virtual call for every interested member to get an overview of the prior week and a preview of the issues in the upcoming week. The call is one hour only and always at 9 am. All you have to do is sign up. All GMA members should have received an email with a link for the calls.
This year there will be many important issues debated. There will be bills affecting housing policy, the use of school zone cameras, annexation dispute resolution panels, transportation funding, and tort reform, just to name a few. GMA will be there fighting for the interest of all Georgia cities.
The one thing that ensures our success is your voice and your presence. Please take the time to get to know your state legislative delegation. Get their cell phone numbers. Email them. Call them. Communicate with them. They listen to you. Especially when all Georgia cities speak with one voice, state leaders listen.
When we ask for your assistance, we need it, and the reason we need it is to help you and your city. When we send out a call to action, it means we need you to take action. When our members are with us, we are strong. And when we stand and speak together, we are truly Cities United.
CI TIES UNI TED SUMMI T
What You Need to Know Before You Go:
Cities United Summit 2025
January marks the beginning of a new year, and with it comes the highly anticipated Georgia Municipal Association’s Cities United Summit. This conference unites city officials from across the state to address key municipal issues in preparation for the General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session.
Why Should I Attend?
Attending the Cities United Summit is an excellent way to gain a foundational understanding of GMA’s legislative advocacy process. During the summit, you’ll have the chance to participate in meetings led by six of GMA’s policy committees focusing in the areas of: Community Development, Environment and Natural Resources, Municipal Government, Public Safety, Transportation, and Revenue and Finance on Sunday, January 26. The meetings are open to all members and feature panels of legislators, state agency leaders, and subject matter experts discussing the most pressing issues in each of the areas. You’ll also learn about GMA’s 2025 legislative priorities and gain an understanding of why these issues are important and relevant to each of our cities.
What Will I Learn?
Learn how GMA is talking about these issues and how you might advocate for your city. Policy committee meetings get you up to speed on GMA’s legislative priorities and help you feel confident going into these conversations prepared to advocate for your city. These meetings also provide an understanding of how the legislative process works by demystifying and simplifying it. You and your legislators represent the same constituents, making it essential to establish a productive working relationship that serves the best interests of our cities.
Why Should I Advocate?
Cities United Day at the Capitol is a unique opportunity to build meaningful, in-person connections with your
legislators—connections that go beyond texts, phone calls, or emails. These interactions lay the foundation for lasting relationships you can rely on in the future. As GMA members, you are our force multipliers. When legislators see hundreds of mayors and city officials gathered at the Capitol, all united by the signature Cities United scarf, it sends a powerful message that amplifies our collective voice throughout the legislative session.
Your advocacy is essential because you bring a firsthand perspective on how legislative decisions impact your city. As the leading expert on your community, your insights and arguments carry tremendous weight when delivered directly. By participating, you not only strengthen GMA’s influence during the 2024 legislative session but also take an important step toward becoming a more active advocate for your city this year.
Cities United Summit Teamwork
Your GMA Governmental Relations team navigates this landscape daily, building relationships with legislators and assessing how statewide legislation could impact local communities. They are dedicated to advocating on your behalf. However, as a city official, you are the foremost authority on your community. You understand its unique strengths, challenges, needs, and opportunities and can provide detailed, first-hand accounts of how legislative decisions will affect your city.
The Cities United Summit brings these two strengths together—GMA’s legislative expertise and your local insight—to create a more powerful and impactful advocacy force.
Municipal Training Institute Classes at Cities United
Summit
While attending the 2025 Cities United Summit in Atlanta, take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in municipal governance through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. A partnership between GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the Institute offers two days of pre-conference training sessions designed to equip city officials with valuable insights and tools.
With 25 classes available on Friday and Saturday, topics range from Municipal Finance and Economic Development to Lobbying 101 and more, ensuring there’s something for everyone with three-hour and six-hour sessions available.
Whether you’re new to city government or a seasoned veteran, and whether your city is large or small, we encourage you to explore the training schedule. Kick off your Cities United Summit experience by investing in continuing education through the Holtz Municipal Training Institute.
GMA Awards Luncheon
Join us on Sunday, January 26, at 12:15 PM at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park for a special celebration of excellence in municipal leadership. The event will feature the Visionary City Awards Presentation, held in partnership with Georgia Trend magazine, along with recognitions for Certified Cities of Ethics, Certified Cities of Civility, and the Municipal Training Institute Certificate recipients.
New Location for 2025
This year’s Cities United Summit will be held at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park. Located at 190 Marietta Street NW, the Omni is in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Enjoy valet parking with a dedicated parking deck for the hotel as well as easy, walkable access to iconic attractions and restaurants downtown.
Municipal Tort Reform is a Priority
JIM THORNTON, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
Georgia’s cities are facing unprecedented exposure to civil liability. This exposure raises the real threat of cities becoming uninsurable and having to raise property taxes on residents and businesses.
FOR
MANY
YEARS, COMMENTATORS
HAVE noted that Georgia has a civil justice system that is more favorable to plaintiffs that the comparable systems in other states. Much of that commentary has focused on the effect of civil claims on the cost of doing business in Georgia.
As Governor Brian Kemp has said: “The unfortunate reality is our current litigation climate has led to increased costs for consumers and a higher barrier to entry for those who want to create jobs in our state.”
The Governor’s observation is also true for cities, because the current climate threatens city budgets and, if left unchecked, will lead to higher taxes for city residents and businesses.
Recent verdicts and appellate decisions in Georgia have demonstrated the exposure that Georgia cities face when doing the work of the people, such as building and maintaining roads, parks, and other community amenities.
In particular, the recent Fulton County jury award for more than $32,000,000 against the City of Milton has demonstrated the exposure that cities face. (See “Tragic Accident Brings Municipal Tort Liability to the Forefront article on Pg. 38.)
When an individual is injured due to the fault of a city or government official, that injured person rightly should seek compensation. But even governments do not have unlimited resources, and part of the role of
government is also to protect the taxpayers and public resources.
If cities are faced with excessive civil liability, the city will either be unable to fund essential services like public safety and public works or will be forced to increase property tax millage rates on residents and businesses. Increased taxes, of course, could be directly harmful to growth and a friendly business environment.
The State of Georgia has found a way to strike an appropriate balance at the state level between the need to compensate the injured as well as protect state taxpayers. In 1992, the General Assembly enacted “The Georgia Tort Claims Act,” which allows individuals injured through state action to receive compensation, but which also limits the recovery to no more than $1,000,00 per person and no more than $3,000,000 per occurrence. There is no similar protection in law for Georgia cities.
an insurance carrier would even consider limits more than that threshold, and even if they did, the premiums would be prohibitively expensive.
As the General Assembly considers whether it is time to rebalance the civil justice system, and both provide compensation for the injured, as well as protect the interests of taxpayers, it is time for the legislature to consider enacting a Municipal Tort Claims Act modeled on the state act.
“Recent verdicts and appellate decisions in Georgia have demonstrated the exposure that Georgia cities face when doing the work of the people, such as building and maintaining roads, parks, and other community amenities.”
The State of Georgia is a large and financially healthy government. All Georgia taxpayers benefit from the sound fiscal management at the state level, but Georgia taxpayers are also protected from exorbitant civil liability through the reasonable limits established by the tort claim act.
Under the current judicial system, there is effectively no limit on a city’s exposure. Recent verdicts in the tens of millions of dollars have demonstrated this lack of a limit and the real threat it poses. Most cities have liability insurance policies with limits of one or perhaps two million dollars. It is unlikely that
Georgia’s cities, while much smaller than the state, also employ sound fiscal management practices. But the residents and the businesses located in Georgia cities lack any protection from the potential threat of civil liability claims. The solution is at hand.
Georgia city officials are encouraged to contact their state legislators and ask them to apply similar limits on civil exposure that they apply to the state to its cities.
List any equipment or inventory, in any condition
Sell to 5+ million registered buyers
Higher
your
Nestled between Lakes Oconee and Sinclair and the Oconee National Forest, Eatonton boasts a rich history, hunting, fishing, golfing, shopping water sports, historic homes – there’s a little something for everyone to experience and enjoy. Established in 1808, the Putnam County gem is named after William Eaton, a Revolutionary War officer, and over the years has grown into a hub of cultural and historical significance.
The city is best known as the birthplace of two literary legends: Joel Chandler Harris, creator of the beloved Uncle Remus stories, and Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Color Purple. Their legacies are celebrated throughout the city, from the Uncle Remus Museum to literary events that highlight the city’s ongoing commitment to the arts and storytelling.
Beyond its literary heritage, Eatonton offers a range of attractions. Its proximity to Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair provides ample opportunities for outdoor adventures, from boating to fishing to hiking scenic trails. The city’s historic downtown features locally owned shops, art galleries, and restaurants that invite exploration and community connection.
MAYOR: John
Whether you are drawn by its literary roots, natural beauty, or historic landmarks, Eatonton is a city that offers something for everyone.
Fun Fact: Eatonton is home to Rock Eagle Effigy Mound, a massive stone structure in the shape of a bird, thought to have been created by Indigenous peoples over 1,000 years ago. This archaeological wonder continues to intrigue historians and visitors alike, making it a must-see destination for those interested in Georgia’s ancient past.
Milton Public Safety Complex
City Hall
BEHIND THE SCENES
Meet GMA’s Governmental Relations Team
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TEAM CHAMPIONING LOCAL GOVERNANCE FOR GEORGIA’S 537 CITIES.
GMA’s Governmental Relations team often operates behind the scenes but are vital in shaping policies and advocating for Georgia’s cities. As we embark on another legislative session, your GMA Governmental Relations team works tirelessly to ensure that local governments’ voices are heard, and that priorities are addressed. In this edition, we introduce you to the team driving impactful change in Georgia’s cities. every day.
JIM THORNTON,
DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS
Jim joined GMA as the Director of Governmental Relations in November 2022, but he has been a member of GMA for years. Before joining the GMA staff, Jim was the mayor of the city of LaGrange for nine years, following time as a city councilmember. He served as GMA’s president from August 2021 until June 2022 and served on GMA’s board as immediate past president from June 2022 until resigning as mayor to join GMA. As a longtime GMA board member, Jim has chaired the Member Services Advisory Council, Federal Policy Council and Legislative Policy Council. He also served as co-chair of the Equity and Inclusion Commission and was instrumental in the development of GMA’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives. Jim is also an attorney, having worked at his own law firm for more than 20 years. He earned his undergraduate degree from LaGrange College and his law degree from Emory University. Jim’s unique combination of professional experiences makes him ideal to represent the interests of Georgia’s cities, as he can speak to legislators with authority as a former public official and longtime attorney. Contact Jim at jthornton@gacities.com.
This is Noah’s fourth legislative session with GMA. He joined GMA in November 2021 as a legislative outreach associate and moved into his current role during summer 2022. His areas of expertise include community development and transportation policy. Before joining GMA, Noah worked for the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission as an economic resilience coordinator, helping local governments with COVID-19 recovery planning. Prior to that, Noah served as a senior political fellow at Common Cause in Washington, D.C., working
as a project coordinator with the Georgia Foreign Trade Zone, and as a legislative aide to GeorgiaLink Public Affairs Group, a contract lobbying firm. Noah earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University. Contact Noah at nroenitz@gacities.com.
Leona joined GMA in late 2022 and is in her third legislative session as an advocate for Georgia’s cities. Her area of expertise is revenue and finance. She previously served in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB), where she worked as a fiscal policy analyst for four years. There, she focused on the Department of Public Health, State Board of Workers Comp, and Community Health Attached Agencies. Prior to her time at OPB, she did government relations work for the Georgia Cable Association and held internships at Troutman Sanders and Massey, Watson, Bowers and Hembree, which is known as Impact Public Affairs. Leona earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and her Master of Public Policy from the Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. She is a native of Smyrna and lives in Mableton, which is one of Georgia’s newest cities. Contact Leona at lrittenhouse@gacities.com.
DJ WALLER, GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS ASSOCIATE
DJ joined GMA in September 2023 and is in his second legislative session as an advocate for Georgia’s cities. His area of expertise is public safety. Before joining GMA, DJ served as the Community Development Manager for the city of Covington for three years, where he was responsible for community partnerships, events, film permitting, downtown development, tourism, and
placemaking. DJ earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science as well as his Master of Public Administration from Georgia Southern University. Contact DJ at dwaller@gacities.com.
KATRINA COCHRAN, GOVERNMENTAL OUTREACH SPECIALIST
As one of the newest members of GMA’s Governmental Relations team, Katrina joined GMA in November 2024 and will serve in her first legislative session. Prior to joining GMA, she previously served as an Outreach Representative for the Office of U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, a role she held for over two years and through which she served as one of the Senator’s representatives for the entire Northeast Georgia region. In this role, Katrina represented Senator Warnock in meetings with city and county officials, nonprofits, businesses, and economic development entities. During her time as an Outreach Representative, she led on over 100 Congressionally Directed Spending projects, securing crucial federal investments for Northeast Georgia. Katrina is a cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs and a minor in Chinese Language and Culture. Contact Katrina at kcochran@gacities. com.
RUSI PATEL, GENERAL COUNSEL
While Rusi leads GMA’s legal department, he regularly supports GMA’s governmental relations team, testifies under the Gold Dome and works with legislators and state agencies on issues concerning Georgia’s cities. He has been GMA’s general counsel since 2019, when he was promoted from the previous position of senior associate general counsel. Prior to his time at GMA, Rusi served as assistant city attorney and city solicitor in Brunswick, Georgia. A Double
Dawg, Rusi received his undergraduate degree and law degrees from the University of Georgia. Contact Rusi at rpatel@gacities.com.
RYAN BOWERSOX, ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL
Ryan first joined GMA in late 2020 as a governmental relations associate. In August, he was promoted to the role of assistant general counsel. While he is no longer officially part of the governmental relations team, he is still actively involved in GMA’s advocacy work and continues to work on behalf of Georgia’s cities under the Gold Dome. Before joining GMA, Ryan worked in the Georgia State Senate Research Office, where he was a senior policy analyst staffing the Senate Finance and Banking and Financial committees. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and his law degree from Wake Forest University. Contact Ryan at rbowersox@gacities.com.
CLAIRE CHAN, MANAGER OF RESEARCH AND FEDERAL RELATIONS
As GMA Manager of Research and Federal Relations, Claire Chan advances the interests of Georgia cities through research, policy analysis and federal advocacy. Claire oversees research efforts to assess the impact of legislative proposals on municipal operations and to help communities tell their story. As the federal liaison for Georgia cities, Claire works to strengthen relations with our congressional offices and communicate the municipal impact of federal policy. In this capacity, she also leads periodic visits to Washington, D.C. and staffs the GMA Federal Policy Council made up of over 40 city officials. What drives her work at GMA is the opportunity to support cities in being thriving, vibrant places to live, work and play. She was raised in Roswell, Georgia, is a graduate of Georgia Tech and currently lives in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. Contact Claire at cchan@gacities.com.
Updates Across GMA’s Managed Organizations
The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) continues its work in strengthening cities across the state through several managed organizations. Recent updates from each of these groups highlight their ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration and progress in local government.
Georgia City-County Management Association (GCCMA)
GCCMA held its 2024 Fall Conference on November 13-15, 2024, in Jekyll Island, Georgia, marking an inspiring gathering of local government leaders. The event, packed with educational sessions, prestigious awards, and the unveiling of a dynamic new brand, celebrated GCCMA’s commitment to professional growth and public service excellence.
Electing the 2025-2026 Board of Directors
GCCMA’s 2025 Board of Directors were elected as recommended by the Nominations Committee. These leaders, bring diverse expertise and a shared passion for advancing local governance across Georgia.
District Directors:
• District 1: Freddy Morgan, Assistant City Manager, Cartersville (re-elected)
• District 2: Bryan Lackey, City Manager, Gainesville
• District 3 North: Stacey Inglis, Deputy City Manager, Milton (re-elected)
• District 3 West: Robbie Rokovitz, City Manager, Chattahoochee Hills (re-elected)
• District 3 East: Teresa de Castro, Assistant City Manager, Decatur
• District 4: Cleatus Phillips, City Manager, Newnan
• District 5: Gina Roy, Assistant County Manager, Jackson County (newly appointed to fill vacancy)
• District 6: Jason Rizner, County Manager, Jones County
• District 7: Jerry Coalson, County Administrator, Jefferson County
• District 8: Angela Redding, City Manager, Cordele
• District 9: Guy Singletary, County Administrator, Emanuel County (re-elected)
• District 10: Cory Thomas, City Manager, Colquitt (re-elected)
• District 11: Kathy Young, City Administrator, Fitzgerald
• District 12: Regina McDuffie, City Manager, Brunswick (newly elected)
Officers
• President: Adam Mestres, County Manager, Morgan County
• Vice President: Sammy Rich, City Manager, Rome
• Secretary/Treasurer: Shawn Boatright, County Administrator, Camden County
• Director-at-Large: Chris Hobby, Assistant City Manager, Peachtree City
Regina McDuffie joins the board as its newest member, while District Directors from District 1, 3 North, 3 West, 5, and 9 have been re-elected for a second twoyear term. Additionally, Shawn Boatright, former District 12 Board member, was elected as Secretary/Treasurer.
Pillar of Professional Excellence Award: Cheri Hobson Matthews
The conference also celebrated exceptional contributions to local government with the presentation of GCCMA’s Pillar of Professional Excellence Award to Henry County Manager Cheri Hobson Matthews. This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding leadership, strategic vision, and enduring impact on Georgia communities.
Ms. Hobson Matthews has been a champion for effective governance and community-focused initiatives, earning accolades for her forward-thinking approach to public service. She has also been a mentor and advocate for emerging leaders, fostering a culture of collaboration within GCCMA.
Upon receiving the award, Ms. Hobson Matthews expressed gratitude, stating, “It is an incredible honor to be recognized by my peers for doing work that I deeply believe in. I am fortunate to serve a community that inspires me every day.”
Inaugural Cornerstone of the Profession Awards
In addition, GCCMA introduced the Cornerstone of the Profession Award, honoring assistant and deputy public administrators who exemplify leadership, innovation, and integrity. The inaugural recipients, Kathyrn Downs
and Freddy Morgan, were recognized for their significant contributions to local government management.
• Kathyrn Downs, Assistant Administrator of Bryan County, played a pivotal role in leading the county’s recovery efforts after the 2022 hurricane, which caused over $22 million in damages. Her expertise in managing critical services like Elections, Recreation, and Senior Services has set a high standard for public service.
• Freddy Morgan, Assistant City Manager of Cartersville, has demonstrated exceptional leadership over his 30-year career, managing projects such as the construction of Cartersville’s Water Department complex and Fire Station #5. His commitment to delivering quality services and fostering community engagement is unparalleled.
Educational Programming and New Brand Unveiling
The conference featured a robust agenda filled with educational sessions tailored to the evolving needs of local government professionals. Topics ranged from innovative governance strategies to enhancing community engagement, providing attendees with actionable insights and tools to tackle today’s challenges. The event culminated with the unveiling of GCCMA’s new brand, a fresh visual identity that symbolizes
growth, collaboration, and action. The updated logo features a modern design with:
• Blue for reliability and trust.
• Green for growth and vibrancy.
• A windmill-inspired design, reflecting energy, action, and GCCMA’s core pillars: innovation, mentoring, networking, and continuing education.
The inclusion of Georgia’s state outline reinforces GCCMA’s commitment to supporting local government leaders statewide. This rebranding effort, a year-long initiative chaired by Cartersville Assistant Manager, Freddy Morgan, reflects the organization’s dedication to fostering strong relationships and making a lasting impact.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Fall Conference highlighted GCCMA’s unwavering commitment to professional excellence, community impact, and innovation in local governance. With new leadership, a renewed brand, and a focus on recognizing outstanding contributions, GCCMA is poised to continue empowering city and county managers across Georgia.
For more information about GCCMA and its initiatives, visit GCCMA.com.
Georgia Downtown Association (GDA)
Certified Downtown Professional Certification
The Georgia Downtown Association’s Professional Development Program in partnership with the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Georgia Power was designed to elevate the practice of community and economic development in downtown districts by thereby providing a higher level of service and improving the quality of life for all of Georgia’s communities and citizens. Those interested in participating in the Certified Downtown Professional Certification will have two opportunities – one in the spring and fall:
Spring: February 18 & 19, 2025
Registration Opens January 1
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 pm
Tybee Island
Summer: June 17 & 18, 2025
Registration Open Date: Coming Soon
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Atlanta – GMA Headquarters
For more information about the Georgia Downtown Association and other professional development opportunities, visit georgiadowntownassociation.org.
Georgia Association of Land Bank Authorities (GALBA)
GMA’s Management Services Team Welcomes the Georgia Association of Land Bank Authorities
Founded in 2011, the Georgia Association of Land Bank Authorities (GALBA) provides education and updated legislation information to Land Bank Authorities throughout Georgia. GALBA encourages communities’ involvement with local and regional land banks. A land bank is a public authority created to hold, manage, and develop tax delinquent, vacant, and dilapidated and foreclosed properties. Land banks act as a legal and financial mechanism to transform vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed property back to a productive use. In addition, a land bank encourages redevelopment in distressed, blighted communities that generally have little available land.
During the annual summit last October, GALBA elected its officers (pictured above) for 2025. President Allison Goldey, Executive Director Chatham Savannah Land Bank Authority, Vice President Everett Verner, Executive Director Macon-Bibb County Land Bank Authority Secretary Emily Carson, Community Planner City of Perry Treasurer Bekki Fox, Director of Community Development City of Rome.
#GeorgiaCitiesInTheNews: Highlights and Leadership Updates Across the State
From appointments of new city managers, clerks and economic development leaders to notable milestones throughout Georgia’s cities, this section celebrates the progress shaping our communities.
New Staff Appointments City Manager Appointments
• Donald Long has been appointed as the new City Administrator for the City of Washington. Prior to joining Washington, Long served as an executive advisor to the board of directors at Barnett Southern Corporation and has had extensive management and ownership experience.
• Emmanuel Adediran has been appointed as the new City Manager for the City of College Park. Adediran will maintain his current responsibilities of overseeing all city departments and offices, managing personnel decisions, supervising contracts and vendors, and implementing the budget and policies approved by the College Park City Council.
• Maggie Dimov has been promoted to assistant city manager for the City of Stone Mountain. Dimov previously served as the city’s Economic Development/DDA Director. Prior to joining Stone Mountain, Dimov was an economic development director and business development coordinator with the City of Chamblee. Prior to that, she worked as a special events manager for the City of Doraville. She holds an MBA from Kennesaw State University.
• Johnathan Lynn has been appointed as the next City Administrator for the City of Winder. Lynn will be responsible for the overall management and coordination of the city’s municipal services, and will closely work with the council and Mayor in implementing Winder’s policies and initiatives.
• Chris Hobby was appointed as Assistant City Manager for the City of Peachtree City on Nov. 25, 2024. Hobby brings more than 28 years of experience in local government management throughout the state of Georgia, having previously served the cities of Colquitt and Bainbridge. Hobby is a native of Milledgeville and attended Georgia Military College Prep School and Georgia College and State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in political science.
Lynn brings over 17 years of experience in local government management, with experience in working for city governments located in Georgia and Virginia. Lynn holds an MPA in Public Administration from Georgia Southern University and received his Certified Public Manager (CPM) from the University of Georgia.
• Kay Love joined Johns Creek in October 2024 in her new role as Assistant City Manager, where she will advance the city’s strategic priorities. Love brings extensive experience in local government and consulting. Prior to joining Johns Creek, Love worked at the Georgia Municipal Association where she served as a Member Services Consultant and Managing Director of Georgia City Solutions. Love has also served as City Administrator and Deputy City Administrator for the City of Roswell, and Finance Director for the Columbus, GA Consolidated Government. She holds an MBA from Columbus State University and is an active member of the Georgia City-County Management Association (GCCMA), where she previously served as president, and the International City-County Management Association (ICMA).
• Terrell Jacobs joined the City of Albany in August 2024. In his new role as City Manager, Jacobs brings extensive experience in local government and consulting. Prior to joining the City of Albany, Jacobs served as a Member Services Consultant for the Georgia Municipal Association, city manager for the cities of Douglas, Union City, and Waycross, Assistant City Manager for Athens-Clarke County, Human Resources Manager at Waycross and Planner for the Coastal Regional Development Center. Jacobs holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from Valdosta State University. He has been a credentialed manager with the International City County Management Association for more than 20 years. He has served on the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Board for more than 12 years.
City Clerks
• Dayna Felthauser has been appointed as the Interim City Clerk for the Town of Sumner.
Economic Development
• Mableton has selected Juliana Njoku as its first Community Development Director. Njoku will lead the city’s Planning and Zoning Department, Business License Department, and Building Permit Operations. Njoku brings more than 25 years of experience as a public administrator, planner and social impact strategist. Prior to joining Mableton, she served as Director of Planning and Development for Rockdale County. She holds a professional certificate in Corporate Sustainability and Innovation from Harvard Extension School and is a certified Six Sigma Greenbelt.
• Alpharetta has selected Charlie Jewell as its new Director of Economic Development. Jewell with over 16 years of experience driving economic growth at local, regional, and university levels, brings an exceptional track record of leadership, innovation and strategic vision to the city. Prior to joining Alpharetta, Jewell served as the Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement at Radford University, Managing Director at the Site Selections Guild and Executive Director at Onward New River Valley. Jewell holds a Master of Public Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Economic Development from Virginia Tech, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Radford University,
• Canton has selected Aundi Lesley as its new Economic Development Manager effective as November 6, 2023. In this role, Lesley will be responsible for marketing, promotion, public relations and program development to attract potential investors. Prior to joining Canton, Lesley served as the Downtown Development Director for the City of Rome, Main Street Director for the City of Carrollton and Program Coordinator for the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. Lesley earned
her undergraduate degree from the University of West Georgia in business administration and a Master of Public Administration degree from Jacksonville State University.
• Milton has selected Anita Jupin as its new Economic Development Manager
Other Mentions
• Sam Couvillon, mayor of Gainesville, Georgia was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority on Oct. 17, 2024 by Governor Brian Kemp. Couvillon is a partner with Norton Insurance where he is the area president of the Benefits Department. In addition to serving as mayor, he serves on numerous boards in his community, He previously served on the city council serving Ward 1 from 2014-2021. Couvillon received his bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Georgia.
News Around the State
• The cities of Hawkinsville, Hinesville, and Waynesboro are the latest grant recipients for the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative, as announced by Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday, December 5. The awards, totaling over $5 million, will fund infrastructure projects supporting 140 housing units across these three communities:
• Hawkinsville was awarded $2,260,505 in OneGeorgia grant funds to construct road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements to construct 58 new, single-family housing units within the 220 McCormick Avenue Subdivision. The City of Hawkinsville is contributing $70,000 and Hive Construction is contributing $124,000 to total project costs.
• Hinesville received a grant of $1,098,188 to construct street, drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure to develop 31 detached townhomes within the Court Street Project. The city is contributing $591,910 towards the project and the developer partner is contributing $420,200.
• Waynesboro was awarded $2,496,190 in OneGeorgia funds to construct street, drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure that will allow for the construction of 51 new, housing units in St. George Crossing. The development is on a 190-acre tract. The first phase will allow for the construction of 27 single family homes and 24 townhomes. Waynesboro will contribute $100,000 towards the project and the developer will contribute $423,810. Future phases of development enabled by this investment will include a multi-family and senior developments, retail, and commercial spaces.
• Dahlonega, Gainesville and Hartwell Earn Georgia Exceptional Main Street Designation: The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced that Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Hartwell have joined 18 other cities recognized as Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) communities by the Office of Downtown Development. The designation highlights these communities’ unwavering dedication to the Georgia Main Street Program’s principles of downtown revitalization, economic growth, and innovation. With the new designation, Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Hartwell will serve as model cities, setting a high standard for others to follow in achieving downtown progress and prosperity.
• Milledgeville, a Main Street America Accredited Member Community was recently named a winner of the T-Mobile grant. The city will build a park including playground equipment, to foster local connections, enhance outdoor spaces and contribute to the long-term revitalization of a historically neglected area.
Do you have an update you’d like to share for your city in the next edition of Georgia’s Cities Magazine? Send in your updates to gacities@gacities.com.
Finding Ways to Serve the Community
Sara Baxter
With creativity and collaboration, the Ringgold Youth Council has brought history to life and so much more.
Sometimes to make things work, you just have to get out of the way. That’s the approach Ringgold City Council Member Rhonda Swaney decided to take when she realized the newly-formed Youth Council she was overseeing just wasn’t working as planned.
The Ringgold Youth Council was created in 2022 with the goal of engaging young people and teaching them about how city government works. Although high schoolers signed up, Swaney was having trouble getting them to participate.
“It was like swimming in molasses,” Swaney recalls. “They were learning, but not engaged. I couldn’t get them to follow through.”
So she changed course and asked them what they wanted to do. It turns out the students wanted to take a more service-oriented approach and do more for the community.
Youth Council members wanted to focus on people who were living and share that history with the public. They came up with the concept of presenting oral histories from Ringgold residents and Living Legends was born.
“This series was created to uncover and share untold stories from various neighborhoods and eras –giving a voice to difficult and overlooked narratives,” says Swaney.
The first story was that of Alvin Ridley, a television repairman with autism, who was accused of murdering his wife in 1997. He was defended by attorney McCraken Poston and eventually found not guilty.
“Part of being a public servant is having an attitude of service,” Swaney says. “And these kids wanted to serve.”
“We thought this was a story people could learn from,” says Youth Council member Stella Gothard, a junior at Ringgold High School. “It was a fascinating story.”
Swaney took the advice of a fellow council member to “step aside and let them go” and got out of the way. And that’s when the Youth Council took off.
The Council established a structure and planned activities such as a Pickleball Tournament and a food drive and installed a “Rainbow Bridge” to honor deceased pets. They convinced, planned and executed a “Living Legends” series that gives an oral history of Ringgold.
“Part of being a public servant is having an attitude of service,” Swaney says. “And these kids wanted to serve.”
Telling Stories of the Past
The Living Legends series began as a discussion about cleaning off old headstones in a cemetery and it morphed into a conversation about a different way to honor Ringgold’s history.
The Youth Council met with the pair ahead of the event.
“We discussed format and boundaries and what they were willing to share,” says Slade Swaney, another Youth Council Member who is also a junior at Ringgold High School. “We wanted to make sure their story was told in the most respectful way possible.”
Facilitated by a moderator, Ridley and Poston told their story at a packed event at the Ringgold Depot in February 2024. In sharing their journey, the two shed a light on autism, communication differences and their enduring friendship. The moderator took questions from the audience to give it a more interactive feel.
It was a huge success.
“We were expected 50 people,” Stella says. “We had 300. People just kept coming in.”
“It was so rewarding,” adds Slade. “I think it showed that people our age can pull off something like this that can benefit the community – and the community shared our passion for wanting to tell these stories.”
Going off the success of their first event, the Youth Council decided to make Living Legends an ongoing series. The next event will feature Ruth Montgomery, whose mother, Mattie Green, was killed when a bomb exploded underneath the family’s home in 1960. No one was ever charged in the crime, but members of the Ku Klux Klan were suspected to have been involved.
“There is so much value in giving people the opportunity to tell their stories,” Swaney says. “It allows us to hear stories about history and it can be a lesson in how not to repeat it.”
In October, the Ringgold Youth Council was recognized with a GMA Community Impact Award for their work on Living Legends. These awards honor individuals and cities for the positive impact they have made in the state of Georgia.
Learning and serving at the same time
Whether it’s Living Legends, a food drive, a talent show, or a basketball tournament, Swaney says the community always shows up to Youth Council events.
“These kids can draw a crowd,” Swaney says. “The community is much more receptive when it’s a Youth Council activity. They see young people wanting to be involved in city leadership and they support it.”
The Ringgold Youth Council currently consists of 12 members, which Swaney sees as a good number. They must go through an application process and if accepted, can serve on the Council until they graduate.
The Council has an annual budget of $10,000.
“I feel like Youth Councils are a good idea for all communities,” says Slade. “It gives students a space to come up with creative ideas that they might not have the opportunity to anywhere else. We are always thinking of ways to help the community.”
Along with learning the inner-workings of city government as well as having an opportunity to serve their community, there are other benefits. Students also gain self-confidence in sharing their ideas and learn teamwork, public speaking, and life skills.
“I feel like I have a voice,” says Stella. “And that’s a great feeling, knowing that kids like us can make a difference.”
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Georgia Cities Week 2025: Celebrating 26 Years of Strengthening Communities and Celebrating Success
CITIES ACROSS GEORGIA WILL CELEBRATE GEORGIA CITIES WEEK FROM APRIL 21-25, 2025.
EVERY YEAR, GEORGIA’S CITIES WEEK SHINES A spotlight on the unique qualities and contributions of municipalities across the state. This annual weeklong celebration, coordinated by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), is an opportunity for cities to celebrate their history, showcase community projects, and engage citizens in local government. It’s also a platform to highlight the vital role cities play in fostering economic growth, cultural enrichment and overall quality of life.
Georgia Cities Week will run April 21 through 25 and will give cities the opportunity to:
• Share information about the valuable services cities provide to residents, including an inside look into city operations and how cities positively impact their quality of life
• Highlight successful community projects and infrastructure enhancements
• Connect residents with one another
• Build or improve working relationships with state leaders and legislators.
In its 26th year, Georgia Cities Week is also an opportunity to celebrate community achievements and recognize volunteers and city employees.
Every year, hundreds of Georgia cities find new ways to celebrate their work, including social media campaigns, volunteer opportunities, and special events.
Resource kits for Georgia Cities Week will be mailed in late January, and more information on how your city can join in on the festivities is to come.
For any further questions about Georgia Cities Week, contact Dana Goodall at dgoodall@gacities.com.
ADEL GROVETOWN WHITE
HOGANSVILLE
LAKE PARK VALDOSTA
HOLTZ SPRING TRAINING
Scheduled for Duluth and Dublin
The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, operated in partnership between GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, will host two Spring Training events in April 2025: Spring Training North and Spring Training South.
“By offering two smaller Spring Training events, we aim to provide more convenient training locations for a larger portion of GMA’s membership while helping to reduce travel expenses,” shared Alan Dickerson, GMA’s director of Training and Leadership Development.
On April 3-4, the Spring Training North event will be offered at the Downtown Duluth Festival Center. Two six-hour classes will be offered each day, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
On Thursday, April 3, the following classes will be held:
• Building Community Capacity Through Tourism
• Making Citizen Engagement Work in Our Communities*
On Friday, April 4, the following classes will be offered:
• Ethics*
• Governing the Commons: Collective Decision Making in Complex Systems*+
On April 24-25, the Spring Training South event will be held at Dublin’s Oconee Fall Line Technical College. Two six-hour classes will be held each day, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
On Thursday, April 24, the following classes will be held:
• Managing Growth: Economic and Natural Resource Issues
• Steering Through the Storm: Guiding Your Community Through A Disaster*
On Friday, April 25, the following classes will be held:
• Harmony in Leadership: Nurturing Kindness, Civility, and Transformational Influence* (New)
• Money, Money, Money… Money! Funding City Projects Through Grants and Loans
KEY:
* This class is on the required list for the Municipal Training Institute certificate program.
+ This class is in the Training Institute’s Advanced Leadership Track and is required to earn the Certificate of Dedication.
the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute’s curriculum, so long as the recipient has not received credit for those classes within the last five years. Otherwise, credit will only be given once for any class.
For more information and to register, please see the events calendar page on GMA’s website.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE OTHER TRAINING DATES (NOT INCLUDING GMA’S LARGE CONFERENCES):
MAY 7, 2025
Pre-Event Training – GMA Small Cities Conference
UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton
AUGUST 25, 2025
• Downtown Development Authority Basic Training
• Creating a Downtown Renaissance: Advanced DDA Training
• Downtown Gainesville
SEPTEMBER 9-10, 2025
Fall Training Event
Great Wolf Lodge, LaGrange
SEPTEMBER 10-13, 2025
Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute
Great Wolf Lodge, LaGrange
OCTOBER 28-29, 2025
Live Online Training
Downtown Development Authority Basic Training
NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Steering Through the Storm: Guiding Your Community Through A Disaster*
Georgia Municipal Association Headquarters, Atlanta
Those eligible for training certificates can receive six-hours of credit towards a training certificate for the successful completion of each class. Please note that eligible officials may receive additional credit hours for retaking up to two classes a year from
For class descriptions and more information on the Municipal Training Institute’s 2025 schedule, see the 2025 Holtz Training Brochure on GMA’s website.
Tackling the Challenges of Recruitment and Retention
The city of Rockmart participated in GCS’s Jobs with Purpose Initiative and, with the guidance of a consultant, came up with creative ideas to solve the problem.
Sara Baxter
Like many small communities, the city of Rockmart was having trouble recruiting and retaining employees, especially in the police and fire departments. With a high turnover rate and an aging workforce, Rockmart needed some help.
Stacey Smith, Rockmart’s city manager, applied for a grant from the Jobs with Purpose (JWP) Initiative, a program from Georgia City Solutions designed to assist cities in proactively addressing their workforce needs through investment, planning and strategy implementation.
“We didn’t really know where to start,” says Smith. “We didn’t know how to advertise or how to attract new employees.”
In March 2023 Rockmart, a small city of 5,000 located about an hour northwest of Atlanta, received word that they had been selected for the JWP Initiative. Within a year, they had worked through the process and had a plan.
First Steps
The program works in two phases. The first involves a GMA municipal consultant meeting with a team of city employees and helping them identify the workforce challenges the city faces and determine which ones should be addressed. They then create action steps to achieve those goals. During the second phase an outside marketing firm works with the city to create collateral pieces to help with recruitment.
After meeting with the consultant, Pete Pyrzenski, and providing him with preliminary data in September 2023, Rockmart formed a project team to help in the process. The group of 11 employees comprised both veteran and new employees with representation from all city departments.
“We wanted to get a mix of different ideas,” says Delmos Stone, Rockmart’s director of planning, who headed the project team. “We knew we would benefit from all views. Newer employees could tell us what attracted them to Rockmart and those with more seniority could give us reasons for why they stayed.”
Pyrzenski met with the group twice, facilitating their discussions and then helping to lay out a strategy. The group evaluated the current situation, what was working and what challenges the city faced. The second meeting generated solutions.
Implementing the Plan
Pyrzenski came back with five action items based on the project team’s feedback and ideas:
1. Develop and finalize a Succession Plan for each department.
2. Implement a performance evaluation system to evaluate job duties and performance regularly. This had never been done before – the city just gave raises. “The committee suggested using evaluations not just for pay increases but also as a way for employees to learn what they are doing well and where they need to make improvements,” Smith says.
3. Complete a professional pay study and benefit review for city employees and departments. The study found that Rockmart had one of the lowest starting pay scales across the region. As a result, the city has increased salaries for every employee to make them more competitive.
4. Evaluate the city’s IT systems and capabilities to make them more efficient.
5. Develop and formalize a cross-training program across departments that addresses core function duties and responsibilities. Employees now have the option to spend a day in another department to learn what their colleagues do. Smith says this will eventually help improve communications between the departments.
Each action item had a time frame and steps for completing each one.
Smith, who calls the process “eye-opening” and “amazing” says that one thing that surprised her was the salary was not the number one priority for taking a city job.
“An employee survey found that the work environment and work culture were the most important things for new and veteran employees,” she says. “They wanted a stable work environment. That was shocking to me.”
Implementing Creative Solutions
One suggestion that came from the project team was to create an employee relations committee to build rapport among all employees and departments. Some of the ideas that have been implemented:
• A monthly newsletter that lists upcoming events, new businesses, new projects and employee birthdays
• An employee appreciation lunch
• A reward program recognizing years of service
• A family day
“This was the best thing that came out of the process in my opinion,” says Stone. “It helps with employee morale, and also will help us attract new employees and keep our existing employees.”
overview of the city, a list of departments and what they do and other helpful information. We didn’t have that before and now we realize how important that is.”
During the second phase, Mopdog Creative + Strategy developed recruitment materials that the city could use to advertise job openings. The agency created a series of posters and cards that illustrated opportunities in each department using photos of actual city employees. For the first time, the city has materials that can be used for recruitment efforts at job fairs, the local technical college, the library and on its website.
“It is really helpful to have something we can give people to take with them at job fairs,” says Stone. “We didn’t have any kind of collateral. It really benefits the city and it’s another great thing that came out of the JWP initiative.”
“We wanted to get a mix of different ideas,” says Delmos Stone, Rockmart’s director of planning, who headed the project team. “We knew we would benefit from all views. Newer employees could tell us what attracted them to Rockmart and those with more seniority could give us reasons for why they stayed.”
Smith presented everything to the Rockmart City Council, and they were very supportive. They didn’t have to approve any initiatives the project team implemented, but they did need to vote on the salary increases, which passed unanimously.
Now the city is fully staffed and Smith is grateful for the entire process.
Another idea that was generated out of the committee was providing a welcome packet for new employees.
“We didn’t really have an onboarding process,” admits Smith. “But we’ve now created a packet that says ‘Welcome to the Family’ and it contains an
“The biggest thing I learned was the importance of communicating with the employees,” Smith says. “It goes a long way in boosting morale and making the city a good place to work. I am so grateful for GMA and Georgia City Solutions for this opportunity.”
DOES YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OWN A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE OR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?
If so, the Georgia Dig Law requires that the local government become a member of Georgia 811 as of January 1, 2024.
To become a member, contact the Customer Connections Department at customerconnections@georgia811.com or 770-623-5786.
Tragic Accident Brings Municipal Tort Liability to the Forefront
RYAN BOWERSOX, ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL, GMA
In November 2016, a tragic incident occurred in the City of Milton. Joshua Chang, a bright and promising college student, was driving down Batesville Road when, for unexplained reasons, his car went into a slide lasting over 60 feet before ultimately colliding with a concrete planter located six feet off the roadway. The collision resulted in the death of Mr. Chang.
This single-car traffic accident began a multi-year dispute, continuing to this day, centered around the planter, which played a role in the tragedy. The ongoing litigation between Mr. Chang’s parents and the City of Milton will have lasting impacts and the potential to reshape municipal tort liability in Georgia.
Following the accident, Mr. Chang’s parents sought damages against several parties, focusing on the existence and location of the concrete planter. The parents sued the city, alleging that the city was negligent in maintaining the roadway and had created a nuisance with the concrete planter.
During the trial, it was determined that the planter was within the city’s right-of-way, for which the city was responsible. Ultimately, the jury found the city liable and awarded Mr. Chang’s parents over $32 million, which is approximately 85 percent of the city’s annual budget.
The City of Milton appealed the judgment to the Georgia Court of Appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in determining that the city was not entitled to sovereign immunity. Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine provided for in Article IX, Section II, Paragraph IX of the Georgia Constitution, which protects municipalities from liability for damages.
Cities in Georgia are entitled to sovereign immunity unless waived by the General Assembly. Precedent, including a 2019 case out of the City of Roswell, had consistently held that cities in Georgia had sovereign immunity for incidents which occurred off the roadway in areas not meant for the passage of motor vehicles, but the Milton judgment throws decades of precedent on its head.
In its analysis of the city’s appeal, the Court of Appeals noted that the General Assembly waived municipal sovereign immunity for negligence in the performance of ministerial duties, which are commonly understood as duties that do not require discretionary judgment. Georgia law provides that municipalities may be liable for injuries resulting from defects in public roads if the municipality knew or should have known about the defect. On September 14, 2024, the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision, upholding the $32 million judgment against the City of Milton.
sufficient notice of this defect. As a result, the court held that the city was not entitled to sovereign immunity.
If left to stand, the Court of Appeals decision in City of Milton v. Chang could have a dramatic impact on cities across Georgia in numerous ways. First, the sheer size of the judgement against the Milton will have profound effects on city governance. This type of verdict, often referred to as a “nuclear verdict,” has the potential to change the landscape of municipal operations.
The demonstration of this potential liability will reshape municipal insurance coverage as cities are now deemed a higher risk. The potential for an entire year’s budget to be at risk will shape how cities operate, and they will have little choice but to pass these added costs to their residents and businesses.
Second, the determination that the planter, in the city’s right-of-way constitutes a defect in the road, greatly expands a city’s duty concerning potential obstacles within their jurisdiction. The planter, located off the road, predated the existence of the city by decades, and had previously never been associated with any incident.
“Cities in Georgia are entitled to sovereign immunity unless waived by the General Assembly. Precedent, including a 2019 case out of the City of Roswell, had consistently held that cities in Georgia had sovereign immunity for incidents which occurred off the roadway in areas not meant for the passage of motor vehicles, but the Milton judgment throws decades of precedent on its head.”
Despite these facts, the courts determined that the city was negligent in not removing this planter as a defect in its roadway due to its constructive knowledge of its existence. If this judgement is allowed to stand, every city’s responsibility will be increased to a level where prudence would require each city to scrutinize all potential obstacles in their right-of-way and remove them. Cities must be on guard of any obstacle in the entire right of way and be wary of any possible incident.
The court determined that the planter constituted a defect in the road even though it was off the roadway by several feet and did not impair the normal flow of traffic and, despite no prior incidents, that the city had
While it is currently unknown whether the Supreme Court of Georgia will grant certiorari to review the Court of Appeals’ decision, if this decision is left to stand, it will greatly and negatively impact Georgia cities.
GEORGIA GEMS
CELEBRATING LITERACY GIANTS IN THE HEART OF EATONTON
IN
THE CHARMING CITY OF EATONTON, THE Georgia Writers Museum is a treasure trove for literature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. This one-of-akind museum honors the lives of legacies of some of Georgia’s most celebrated authors, offering visitors an engaging experience that connects them to the rich literary heritage of the state.
The museum highlights three notable literary figures with deep ties to the region of the state: Joel Chandler Harris, Alice Walker, and Flannery O’Connor. Harris, famous for his Uncle Remus stories, grew up in nearby Eatonton and drew inspiration from the oral traditions of local storytellers. Alice Walker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and activist, was born in Eatonton, and her groundbreaking work The Color Purple continues to captivate readers worldwide. Just a short drive away in Milledgeville, O’Connor crafted her iconic Southern Gothic tales, cementing her place in literary history.
The Georgia Writers Museum isn’t just a static exhibit of artifacts. It’s an interactive hub that fosters a love for storytelling and creativity. Visitors can explore
displays featuring personal letters, photographs, and manuscripts from the authors’ archives, participate in writing workshops, and attend literary events throughout the year. The museum’s educational programs also inspire young writers to encourage them to embrace their own creative potential.
A LITERARY PILGRIMAGE
The museum is conveniently located in downtown Eatonton, surrounded by historic charm and just minutes from Lake Country. Whether you’re a fan of Southern literature or simply curious about the stories that shaped Georgia’s cultural identity, the museum offers an unforgettable experience.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
The Georgia Writers Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, with guided tours available by appointment. For more information, visit georgiawritersmuseum. org. Come and discover the stories that continue to shape Georgia’s literary legacy.
Fairs and Festivals
1/15 – 1/31
Fort O Fright
Fort Oglethorpe
Celebrating Downtown Douglas
Douglas
World War II Exhibit at Chipley Historical Center
Pine Mountain
1/15 – 2/28
A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play Canton
1/15 – 1/18
Rink on the River Canton
1/15 – 1/19
IllumiNights at the Zoo presented by Georgia Power
Atlanta 1/15
Athens MLK Day Parade and Festival
Athens
Savannah Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Day Parade
Savannah 1/17 – 1/19
A Ridges Experience: Join us for a Murder Mystery Weekend
Hiawassee
1/18
29th Annual “Run for Aviation”
Warner Robins
Friends of Panola Mountain
Extended Hike
Stockbridge
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Parade
Dublin
Chili Challenge XI
Pine Mountain
1/23
Flowery Branch Winter
Thursday Farmers Market
Flowery Branch
1/25
Suwanee Winter Saturday
Farmers Market
Suwanee
2/1
Chocolate Crawl
Douglas
2/2
Pottery Play Date Workshop
Statesboro
2/8
Martins Mine Hike
Helen
Dublin Soul Food Expo
Dublin
Lions Club Annual Oyster Roast Kingsland
2/9 – 2/14
BRAG Winter Ride
Cycling Vacation
Jekyll Island
2/11
Meet Dr. King Statesboro
2/15
14th Annual Blue Ridge
Fire and Ice Chili Cook-Off
Blue Ridge
2/15 – 2/16
FarmDaze 24
Brooklet
2/21 -2/22
Georgia National Rodeo Perry
2/21
Fireside Arts and Crafts Show Helen
Savannah Winter Crafts on the River Savannah
3/7 – 3/9
South Georgia Film Festival Valdosta
3/8 – 3/9
Forsythia Festival Forsyth
3/8
Wonderful Wild Plants Helen 3/16
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Savannah
3/21 – 3/20
Macon’s International
Cherry Blossom Festival
Macon
3/22
Statesboro Festival of the Arts Statesboro
3/28
Ashburn Fire Ant Festival
Ashburn
3/29
Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival
Brookhaven
4/5
Acworth Art Fest Acworth
State Banana Pudding Festival Milledgeville
4/11
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Atlanta
Woodstock Birding Festival Kingsland
4/12
Warm Springs Spring Fling Festival Warm Springs
Perry Dogwood Festival Perry
Springtime at the Fort Fort Gaines
Saint Simons Island Crafts in the Village St. Simons
4/14
Dragons and Mythical Beasts Statesboro
To place a free Fairs & Festival listing contact gacities@gacities.com. Please submit listings at least eight to ten weeks ahead of publication date.
