It is my pleasure to present the Mayor’s State of the City – for the fourth time.
In 2024, advancements in Peachtree City were driven by our city’s vision of “uncompromised excellence.” It was a year of momentum and progress. It was also a year in which we took time to reflect on how far our city has come; to honor our founders; and to celebrate 65 years.
And 2025 will bring exciting developments. We’re investing in our future and offering tax relief to our citizens. Progress is underway with the largest transportation improvement project in Fayette County history. Promising new developments in recreation, public safety, and citizen engagement are underway, all to help our families and businesses thrive.
BUDGET
First, the budget. In Peachtree City we balance our budget, invest in our future and save for a rainy day.
The largest percentage of our FY2025 budget, 47 percent, is for Public Safety. Our previous strategy of increasing pay and benefits has worked, and we now have a fully staffed police force and fire department.
10% of our budget goes to Recreation. On that point, we have exciting new plans for facilities and programs that our citizens have asked for and I can’t wait to tell you about them!
And perhaps best of all, we have $31.5 million saved in our rainy-day fund.
TAX RELIEF
We also offered needed tax relief to our citizens. We lowered the millage rate for FY2025 from 6.043 to 5.983 mils.
We passed a Resolution to increase the property tax exemption for low-income Seniors in PTC. What was previously an income threshold of $30,000 per year will be $60,000, meaning more seniors will qualify for this exemption. And the exemption amount is increased from $5,000 to $30,000, a tremendous increase. We’re proud to support our seniors with these changes.
We’re opting into the new property tax exemption law, HB581, which allows us to cap the increase of property tax assessments for homesteaders, those of us living in our primary residence here.
Additionally, in our countywide discussions on the topic of HB581, I’m advocating against the proposed new one-penny sales tax called a FLOST. I see the FLOST as problematic for our citizens for several reasons, and I am not interested in adding the penny sales tax that comes in this law.
We as citizens are all having to do more with less right now, and government should do the same.
TRAFFIC
One of the biggest issues in Peachtree City is traffic and I’m working hard to make sure we get the traffic solutions we need. The largest transportation improvement project in Fayette County history is underway at the Highway 54/74 intersection. This is a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project, and it is GDOT funded.
The project includes dedicated right turn lanes for southbound 74 traffic turning right onto 54, and resignalization of the entire corridor. It is expected to be completed, open to traffic, in summer of 2026.
I fought to secure SPLOST funds for upgraded intersection signage so the final look of the project will be up to PTC standards.
A roundabout at Crosstown Road and Peachtree Parkway has been approved by Council for 100 percent design, with SPLOST funding from Peachtree City and Fayette County identified to complete this project.
In 2025, Council and I are prioritizing the final design of a project on Huddleston Road including extending sewer and a multi-use path the length of the road, with new stormwater and a new road design as well.
We’re expanding our network of multi-use paths, most notably on Robinson Road, for better access to Booth Middle School.
We used SPLOST dollars to landscape the gateway bridge area on the west side, and we replaced the path bridge over Lake Peachtree to allow for two-way golf cart traffic on that thoroughfare.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Good jobs and a strong economy are the backbone of our thriving community. When it comes to Economic Development, Peachtree City is a standout in the region. Industries expanding in Peachtree City in the last year include SP Meditec, CertainTeed, Silon, Gerresheimer, Aventure Aviation, and Hoshizaki.
The All-Movie Hotel, one of six owned by Frances Ford Coppola, is marketing their post-production technology in their location here, on Crosstown Road, worldwide.
Vacant storefronts like the former Stein Mart and empty K-Mart are now being filled. A local, family-owned business, B. Turner’s Clothing, is now doing well in the Stein Mart space, and KMart will soon be home to new, indoor pickleball courts. There is also a new, freestanding pickleball facility now under construction on the south side.
I was honored in March to accept the 2024 Economic Development Award at the South Metro Development Outlook conference. Industry leaders cite our airport, our skilled workforce, and our quality of life as reasons to locate or expand their businesses and move their families here.
After spending the last decade advocating for a technical college in Fayette County, I am delighted to share that Southern Crescent Technical College and Clayton State University are now here, providing new partnerships to serve our community and new programs to serve our industries. Hundreds of local residents are now enrolled in ESOL, GED, and degree completion programs. Industry offerings include a new Aviation program, a critically needed Nursing bridge program, cyber security, and custom technical training. Having these colleges in Peachtree City not only boosts education and the local economy, it also contributes to a vibrant and rich cultural community.
RECREATION
Let’s talk about Recreation! This month, we are adopting a new Recreation Master Plan, the first since 2011. This will have exciting implications for parks and recreation in Peachtree City for decades to come.
The new Plan features a host of new facilities, from a new, free of charge splash pad, to a cricket field to 24 municipal pickleball courts, as a start.
We’ll also be planning upgrades at some of our existing facilities like Battery Way Park, and a community gathering space on Kelly Drive where we are conceptualizing a Veterans plaza, a kids play area, and boardwalk connectivity to the Flat Creek Nature Area.
And if you or your family use any of our facilities, you’ve noticed the improvements we’ve made to ball fields, basketball courts, fencing, bleachers, signage, buildings, lighting, and play equipment.
Our Recreation Department seamlessly took over the day-to-day operations of the Tennis Center with no reduction in membership or services. Our Tennis Center continues to host regional and national tournaments. We’ve beautifully remodeled the lower level of the tennis center building and it now serves as office space for our Fire Department.
We upgraded the Field of Hope at the Peachtree City Athletic Complex (PAC) with a smooth surface turf field, easier access and new dugouts to better accommodate disabled players.
We are now in the process of establishing a new Recreation Advisory Group to provide a citizens’ voice on all matters of recreation including programs, fees, priority projects and long-term plans.
I have led the charge to rekindle our relationship with the Southern Conservation Trust and now we’re bringing environmental programming such as hikes, kids’ camps, and other events back to Peachtree City in 2025, starting this month.
In December, Peachtree City was awarded Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The same week we received the designation of Tree City USA, we also received the Georgia Tree Council 2024 Outstanding Community Grand Award for urban forestry excellence.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Peachtree City remains one of the safest cities in Georgia. Our Police Department has maintained the very prestigious CALEA Meritorious Award status.
We have seen a 22% decrease in Part I crimes from last year.
We’ve partnered with the Fayette County Board of Education to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) in every elementary school in the city. They will be in place by the start of the school year in August.
Police Chief Janet Moon and Lieutenant Brad Williams have expanded our law enforcement focus to include investigating cryptocurrency crimes. Through complex investigations, local law enforcement has been able to recover thousands of dollars for victims of online scamming. Even the GBI and the FBI are still coming up to speed on these technologies. Our focus going forward will be not only on recovering funds, but also on public education and prevention.
We still have our Police K9, a Belgian Malinois named Ejmyr (pronounced i-meer), and thanks to the SPLOST we have added two more Belgian Malinois, Drako and Jonny, to the police force. We can now cover three shifts of operations, with a fourth K9 in the plans.
And in a very unexpected and exciting development, this year the Big Shots restaurant and gun range on Highway 74 went up for sale and Peachtree City promptly purchased it. For about the same amount of money we would have spent to expand our cramped Police headquarters building by 3,000 square feet, we now own 21,000 square feet of gun range, training space, and future offices.
Our vision is to establish not only public safety training space, but also an Emergency Operations Center with a Real Time Crime Center that will serve the region for the next 50 years and beyond.
Our Fire Department was awarded ISO Class 1 again this year, keeping your insurance rates as low as possible.
Our EMTs celebrated two cardiac saves.
Our community outreach and fire prevention efforts included continued public events by Josh Teal, our Community Outreach director, and 6 million views on TikTok.
LIBRARY
Our Peachtree City library celebrated its 50th year on October 8 with a coffee bar, crafts, music, and a Local Author Expo on the plaza. We opened a new Floy Farr exhibit to honor one of our city’s founders and added interviews of both Joel Cowan and Floy Farr to our oral history collection, which is now indexed in the Digital Library of Georgia.
We’ve enjoyed rotating art exhibits, enhanced children’s programming, and visits from authors such as Dekalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. The Peachtree City Library has the second highest circulation in the entire PINES consortium, a network of over 300 Georgia libraries.
Planning Department
We’ve kept our Planning Department busy! After 2 ½ years of grappling with the details, Council passed a Short-Term Rental ordinance that balances the private property rights of homeowners who wish to operate a Short-Term Rental, while also putting guardrails in place to preserve the fabric of our residential communities.
Planning Commission
The members of our Planning Commission, a volunteer board, have stepped up with a proposal to tackle a much-needed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) project. This effort is a process of consolidating our Land Use and Zoning Ordinances into one updated document that reflects our city’s vision in landscaping, design, signage, setbacks, tree save, and land use citywide.
CVB
Our Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) partnered with the Recreation Department to bring 26 sporting events to PTC, such as the American Junior Golf Association, USSSA (“U triple S – A”) Softball, and Soccer Youth All-American Series, generating over 2,000 hotel room nights. Peachtree City hosted a multitude of conferences and conventions.
The CVB also hosted the first Hops & Props beer and aircraft event since COVID, in the Commemorative Air Force Airbase at Falcon Field. They also started a golf cart culinary tour that I sincerely hope comes back when the weather gets warm.
CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT
Citizen engagement has soared this year. We continue citizen education with our Community Emergency Response Team and Citizen Police Academy courses.
In 2024, we created a revamped PTC101 class in which 25 adult students (and one gifted 14-year-old) learned about every city department over the 8-week course. As a PTC101 graduate myself 20 years ago, there is no doubt in my mind these graduates will someday be running for public office! Applications for the PTC101 Class of ‘25 are now being accepted!
We’ve formed a new Transportation Advisory Group, a citizen board that is now navigating an update to our Path Master Plan as well as planning implementation of ADA requirements throughout our path system.
COMMUNICATION
We have worked hard to communicate information and respond to questions from our residents. Notably, this past April, 250 of our citizens packed the house in a Town Hall meeting to learn about GDOT’s project at 54/74.
We also conducted a Town Hall to share information about the complexities of HB581.
Our inaugural Slice of the City events reached all five villages this year. In these community meetings, our City Manager and Department Heads conduct a Q and A and provide a program unique to each village and the neighborhoods within.
We publish a weekly e-newsletter called The Slice, with city events, meetings, and notifications. We now have more than 20,300 subscribers. My Mondays with the Mayor videos are part of that communication, keeping our residents informed on Council actions and plans.
We started a quarterly e-newsletter to engage our business community. Called “The Compass,” it provides a vital connection between our local businesses, and city support.
Our Communications Department received 15 Telly Awards for excellence in video. We were awarded four Marcom Awards, international recognition for excellence in design and creativity.
We received an Emmy Nomination for a very moving Veteran’s Day video. I encourage you to visit our Peachtree City YouTube page. You will be duly impressed.
CITY HALL
We’ve seen a lot of improvements at City Hall this year. In 2024, City Council appointed Justin Strickland as the City Manager and welcomed Chris Hobby as our new Assistant City Manager. The two of them have been full speed ahead.
Our HR department introduced a new Summer Intern program, placing 11 college students in various city departments ranging from Planning, Engineering and Administration to the CVB. This outstanding program was nominated for a GMA Community Impact Award.
Our Public Works Streets Crew is now fully staffed, enabling us to resolve issues within 48 hours at a lower cost compared to the weeks-long wait and higher costs of using an outside contractor.
Maybe you’ve noticed a new and improved look at City Hall? Now a source of pride, the beautiful landscaping in city hall plaza was designed by our own Lora Hooks in the Planning Department and installed in-house by Robert Hiltzheimer, our Grounds Supervisor, and our wonderful Grounds Facilities crew.
This year, we’ll use federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to bring City Hall into ADA compliance with the addition of an elevator.
HONORING OUR FOUNDERS
PTC is unique in so many ways. Unlike most cities, we’re able to honor our founders, who are still contributing to our city. In May, we dedicated the new Ralph N. Jones Memorial Boat Ramp. The late Ralph Jones was, of course, our second Mayor and his widow Brownie Jones still lives in their original home not far from city hall. The day of the dedication, we were honored to recognize four families who have lived in Peachtree City for 55 years or longer – the Jones, Cowan, Conner and Fulton families – and they were all present to share in the celebration. What a legacy!
In June, we dedicated City Council Chambers to Frances Meaders. Frances was the first City Clerk in the 1970s, and throughout the terms of four Mayors it was, no doubt, Frances Meaders who ran everything from the permitting department to finance. According to all four of those Mayors, it was Frances who taught them how to do their jobs. We dedicated the Frances Meaders Council Chambers on June 20th, Frances’ 95th birthday. (I still go to her for advice.)
CONCLUSION
I know that our founders are happy with where we are today. But we are not done.
City Council and I continue to navigate the delicate balance of fiercely protecting all that we cherish about our city with smart growth strategies that will help us adapt and thrive.
We have the leadership. We have the staff. We have engaged citizenry. We have all that we need to assure parks, paths, greenspaces, family gatherings and quality of life in a thriving community we will all enjoy and share for the next 65 years and beyond.
I am honored to be your Mayor, and it is a privilege every day to serve this incredible community.
Thank you.
How refreshing to see a peaceful transfer of power at the national executive level. At least one team respects the law and the Constitution.
Overtly – like a white-washed tomb?
There is one upside. The Evangelicals have so thoroughly embraced this unrepentant sinner who never met a commandment he didn’t immediately violate that they don’t bother even complaining about us regular sinners anymore. We are safe because we could never top convicted felon, serial adulterer, paying a porn star, lying about our assets, assaulting and defaming a lady – and these are only the ones he’s been found guilty of in courts of law. Who knows what the total list is?
Who knew that a birthright could be purchased for so meager a bowl of stew?
Truth is always stranger than fiction!
Yep – reducing the amount of complaining is always a good thing.
Peachtree City is among the most envied zip code in Georgia. I thank the mayor and city council for all their efforts to maintain our prestigious status. Keep up the good work!
I also thank The Citizen for publishing the mayor’s state of the city address.
This country does not want a Democratic, Socialist, Marxist as President and the PTC voters will also show you the door in November.
Bless your heart!!
Now please a few words from your socialist, marxists, communist supporters below.
Steve Brown, is that you? You found a job yet?
#shutupandvote