Well, folks — it’s 2025, and you know what that means.
It’s Election Year.
Next November, we’ll be voting for positions that arguably have a greater impact on our daily lives here in Peachtree City than those at the national level. So much of what affects us — roads, multi-use paths, police, fire services, and more — is shaped at the municipal level. The leaders we elect oversee these essential services and guide how our city evolves in the years ahead.
The November 2025 ballot will feature elections for three key positions: Mayor, City Council: Post 3, and City Council: Post 4. All positions will be elected at-large.
I’ll share information on the current officeholders as a preview of next November’s elections. But first, let’s explore the responsibilities of these positions.
What The Mayor & City Council Do
The first thing to know is that Peachtree City operates under a “weak mayor” system. Within this structure, our City Manager, Justin Strickland, oversees the daily management of city departments and staff, implements policies approved by the Mayor and City Council, and handles administrative tasks and finances.
By delegating day-to-day operations to an experienced professional administrator, the Mayor and City Council focus on important responsibilities such as:
- Allocating tax revenues received from Fayette County.
- Setting the millage rate for Peachtree City.
- Overseeing the use and management of all property within city boundaries.
- Creating, modifying, or removing roads and bridges.
- Filling vacancies in city offices when no other authority is designated.
- Reviewing, resolving, and approving claims against the city.
- Auditing the financial accounts of city officials managing public funds.
- Determining the costs of licenses and regulatory fees.
- Establishing rules and regulations to protect public health, safety, welfare, and morals.
While these responsibilities are shared between the Mayor and City Council, the Mayor’s role includes distinct duties that set it apart. As the primary public face of Peachtree City, the Mayor represents the city in regional discussions and public events. Additionally, the Mayor chairs City Council meetings and builds consensus among members.
It’s important to note that, unlike in a “strong mayor” system, Peachtree City’s Mayor does not have veto power, cannot independently appoint officials, and does not directly manage the city’s budget. Instead, the Mayor works in collaboration with the City Council and City Manager to ensure that actions are thoughtfully developed and effectively implemented.
Now that we’ve explored the roles and responsibilities of Peachtree City’s leadership, let’s take a closer look at the individuals currently serving in these positions, starting with our mayor.
Mayor – Kim Learnard
Kim Learnard has served as Mayor since 2022. In her announcement letter to The Citizen in April 2021, she stated her top priority would be to address traffic congestion. She wrote, “with thousands of cars per day coming in from the west [on 54], it is imperative that we work together with Coweta, Fayette, Tyrone, and GDOT to devise the 20-year solution that bypasses Peachtree City to the north, and gets Coweta drivers where they need to go without grinding the heart of our city to a standstill.”
While we do not have a bypass and the Highway 54/74 intersection remains a challenge (to put it mildly), a key accomplishment touted by Mayor Learnard has been the city’s improved communication with residents. She specifically points to initiatives like PTC101, Town Halls, and Slice of the City neighborhood visits to strengthen connections between city leaders and citizens. She also takes pride in significant upgrades to city communications, including the launch of The Slice e-newsletter and enhancements to the city’s website and video content.
Regarding her plans within the remainder of her current term, Mayor Learnard has said she will pursue several initiatives:
- Create a second left-turn lane from Huddleston Road onto Highway 54 to improve westbound traffic flow toward Newnan.
- Construct a roundabout at the intersection of Peachtree Parkway and Crosstown Road using designated SPLOST funds to finance the project.
- Enhance our recreation infrastructure by developing a new Recreation Master Plan and by establishing a Recreation Advisory Group to gather input from residents. Completing his would fulfill one of her campaign promises to improve our recreational offerings.
- Redevelop Huddleston Road, which would fulfill another one of her campaign promises. This had been pursued earlier in her term but was postponed in favor of time-sensitive American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects. Redevelopment would include creating an appealing, walkable corridor that aligns with the city’s vision for community-centered development.
- Transform the former Big Shots restaurant and gun range into a public safety training and Emergency Operations Center.
When asked about her plans for November’s election, Mayor Learnard shared, “I am humbled by the encouragement I’ve received from every corner of our community to run again in 2025. I am currently evaluating and will make an announcement in February.”
City Council: Post 3 – Clint Holland
Clint Holland has served as our City Council Member since winning the 2022 special election. He is fulfilling the partial term left vacant by former Council Member Gretchen Caola, who was accused of abusing her position for personal benefit and then abandoned Peachtree City for Florida. He remains eligible to run for two additional full four-year terms.
A key priority for Council Member Holland during his campaign was to revisit the Comprehensive Plan used to guide the city’s development. He voiced significant concerns about its survey methodology and data interpretation, advocating for a revised approach that he claimed would better reflect the preferences and priorities of Peachtree City residents. Since joining the Council, however, no changes have been made to the plan (which, admittedly, would be a significant undertaking and require resources outside of Council). Also during his campaign, Holland raised concerns about the city’s traffic challenges, particularly at the 54/74 intersection. He proposed the construction of a separated highway either over or under the North/South lanes to improve East/West traffic flow.
Since taking office, Council Member Holland has championed property tax relief through millage rate adjustments. Consistent with his campaign platform, he has remained steadfast in his opposition to urbanization, mixed-use developments, and high-rise apartments.
Looking ahead, Council Member Holland is focused on several key initiatives aimed at improving Peachtree City’s infrastructure, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring the city’s long-term sustainability. His priorities include:
- Developing a comprehensive transportation plan for State Route 54 and the 54/74 intersection, including exploring solutions such as bridges, tunnels, and multi-use paths.
- Expanding the city’s boundaries to acquire additional land for light industrial and commercial development to broaden the tax base.
- Fully connecting the east side of Peachtree City’s multi-use path system to the existing network.
- Encouraging economic growth by filling vacant retail spaces with businesses that align with residents’ needs and preferences.
- Proposing the development of a teen center to provide activities and support for the city’s younger population.
- Advocating for greater accessibility at city venues to better serve residents with disabilities.
- Supporting another millage rate reduction to offer property tax relief to residents.
- Promoting the implementation of a professionally conducted annual survey to gather input from residents on future city projects and initiatives.
Regarding his plans for November’s election, Council Member Holland stated, “Currently, I am focused on working on city business and not looking at my future running for office in November 2025. That can be decided in July or August.”
City Council: Post 4 – Frank Destadio
Frank Destadio has served as a Council Member since 2022. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 2000 where he specialized in engineering projects, he settled in Peachtree City and became involved in local governance. In 2010 he was appointed to the Peachtree City Planning Commission where he served for 11 years, including seven as Chairman.
When Council Member Destadio ran for office in 2021, his platform leaned heavily into his experience in city management and engineering. He pledged to tightly enforce city ordinances to prevent developers from altering land use and design standards and to limit development associated with the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI). Additionally, he prioritized addressing traffic congestion, protecting environmentally sensitive lands, and enhancing the city’s greenbelts and open spaces.
As a Council Member, Destadio’s engineering expertise and years on the Planning Commission have significantly contributed to the Council’s work in city planning, infrastructure, and development. He has also been a dedicated advocate for veterans, leading the effort to designate Peachtree City as a Purple Heart City in 2023.
Despite being diagnosed with melanoma in 2022, Council Member Destadio has served Peachtree City with resilience and determination. He will announce his decision regarding re-election later this year.
What’s Next?
November’s municipal elections offer a powerful opportunity to have your voice heard. Watch City Council meetings online, connect with candidates when they make their announcements, and explore the key issues so you can make informed decisions on who will serve us best.
If you are especially passionate about preserving our unique character and addressing our challenges, running for office could be an impactful way to serve the community. You can get more information on how to run on Peachtree City’s website at https://peachtree-city.org/1176/Elections.
However, know that municipal leadership roles demand dedication and a genuine commitment to serving others. Council Member Destadio highlighted these qualities in his comments to me for this article, and he emphasized the importance of listening and thoughtful decision-making. “I would like to highly recommend whoever is considering a run for City Council, be open-minded and interested in listening to your citizens. Be honest even though you might not initially agree with their comments. Make up your own mind but be willing to listen to all the options.”
Whether you choose to run or cast your vote, the 2025 elections will be here before you know it. Get involved, stay informed, and help shape Peachtree City’s future.
