This month’s Peachtree City council meeting began with Josh Bonner’s presentation of some state-wide legislative items, many of which focused on budgeting.  Notable items included $150,000 for Bloom Closet in Fayette County, an organization that provides necessary supplies to children in foster care, as well as a total of one billion dollars being returned to Georgia taxpayers.  In other statewide legislative news, cell phones are to be banned from K-8^th grade classrooms, penalties for selling fentanyl are being increased, and an act protecting Georgia citizens’ religious freedom has been passed.  Additionally, cornbread has been recognized as the official bread of GA- as well as Brunswick stew being designated as the state’s official stew.  Despite the potentially controversial nature of the latter two designations (some Georgians preferring biscuits and chili) the passage of these bills serves as an example of healthy bipartisan collaboration and compromise for the greater good.

Teaa Allston-Bing introduced the city’s summer interns for the 2025 season.  McIntosh High School was particularly well-represented during this, as four of the eight interns either graduated from McIntosh or currently attend the school.  In a nod to the city’s well-established golfing culture, they named their cohort the “Peachtree City Drivers of Excellence” and their motto is “On Par for Uncompromised Excellence.”  The interns have made it a goal to attend all council meetings this summer, and their final project will be presented in August.

Public comment focused largely on pickleball, as usual.  John Riley, who lives in a subdivision behind the Braelinn pickleball courts, opened his speech with “I stand here this morning perplexed, confused, and frustrated.”  Apparently, other cities have more courts, sometimes despite having smaller populations, and the relatively low number of courts in Peachtree City results in quite a lot of noise for those whose homes are near the courts.

 “Why do these neighboring cities deserve better than Peachtree City residents?”  Similarly, Sue Reed similarly stated that “My community is the pickleball community,” and lobbied for additional courts in Peachtree City’s development plan.  Carey Cook, a self-proclaimed “pickle-holic,” argued that pickleball fosters local community and is excellent exercise.  The overwhelming sentiment is that pickleball, whose overwhelming popularity brings together people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, should be more accessible to Peachtree City residents.

Several work session items were discussed and will be on the table at the next meeting: including nonprofit funding requests for an organization aiding victims of domestic violence and another one providing personal care services to seniors.  Mayor Learnard moved to maintain the same compensation rates for the mayor and council members, and not to raise pay for herself or her fellow council members.  Clint Holland pointed out that most council members are retired and have their own retirement funds, and do not need extra income, largely being on the council because they enjoy participating in civics and not for the financial benefits.