The Atlanta-based Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), an organization founded in 1933 to advise, advocate for, provide training to, and collectively represent municipal governments statewide, met last Wednesday evening at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton.
Hosted by Eatonton City Councilmember and current GMA District 6 President Janie Reid, approximately 30 GMA D6 members attended, including GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson, plus several mayors and city managers, and administrators. Representing Eatonton were Reid and her husband, Mayor John Reid, with City Administrator Gary Sanders.
After initial welcomes and brief presentations by Janie Reid, the Eatonton mayor, and current GMA President Mayor Fred Perriman of Madison, GMA Governmental Relations Associate and Eatonton native DJ Waller addressed the crowd.
“Welcome to my city; I was born and raised here,” Waller began, revealing the Reids as his grandparents.
Waller went on to describe several statewide bills that GMA helped to get passed, and others “that didn’t pass that we’re grateful didn’t make it across the finish line.”
He highlighted the state budget signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in March that allocated $265 million for local road assistance funds, which he said more than doubled the state’s previous contribution and does not require any local matching of funds.
Additionally, $266 million is earmarked for wastewater and natural gas projects statewide, along with $46 million in state funding for municipal transportation projects and $28 million designated for supporting rural workforce housing projects.
“These investments are a direct result of GMA’s persistent advocacy and our strong working relationships with both the legislator and the governor’s office this year,” Waller stated.
Beyond funding, Waller cited several legislative wins for GMA the past year, but added the organization is currently focusing on House Bill 581, which deals with tort reform regarding municipal liabilities.
“Currently, the state is protected with a liability cap of $1 million per person and $3 million per occurrence. Counties are completely shielded from lawsuits, but cities, however, have unlimited liability,” Waller explained to his audience. “So, it is not fair that an accident that happens on a county road or a state road is treated differently than a city road. So, we felt like we just want the same protections as a state, one and three.”
He added, however, that GMA will not push the issue until it feels confident of the bill passing, since if it fails, it could not be reintroduced for 10 years.
Waller went on to describe several more GMA initiatives and actions before telling the GMA crowd that the recent legislative session was a success, “thanks to your leadership, your advocacy, and your voice.”
“Cities are the backbone of Georgia’s success,” he stressed. “And GMA will continue working to ensure that your voices are heard, respected, and reflected in public policy.”
Following a buffet-style meal catered by Ms. Stella’s in Milledgeville, with dessert provided by Sips 31024 in Eatonton, Perriman opened the second half of the meeting. He emphasized cooperation and working with the team of professionals each municipality employs or has access to, then closed with an appeal for personal caution among his mayoral peers.
“Being a city official is sometimes not easy. The workload, the expectation, the constant pull on your attention, it all adds up when you go to the grocery store, when you go to church, when you go to your community, everybody is pulling on you because they feel like that you are the one who’s there to solve their problems,” he said.
“But if you’re like many of us, you might put everyone else’s needs before your own. But here is the truth: if you don’t care about yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your city. Don’t ignore the signs of burnout. Prioritize your health. Give yourself permission to rest and recharge. You owe that to yourself. Leadership doesn’t mean running on empty, because when you run on empty, you give up and you give out.”
The meeting concluded after each mayor or city administrator attended, giving a brief report and summary on what their municipality is currently working on or recently accomplished.
Mayor Reid spoke on behalf of Eatonton and highlighted the meeting venue, The Plaza Arts Center, and its 500-seat theatre, encouraging attendees to visit before leaving. He also mentioned this weekend’s “Peg Leg” Howell BBQ & Blues Festival, the Butterflies & Blooms garden with the adjacent new dog park, ongoing hotel projects in downtown, the recent opening of Whataburger, and the nearby construction of a Tractor Supply store as evidence of Eatonton’s activity and growth.
Councilmember Reid ended the evening by thanking all participants for attending and sharing their updates.
“We all can learn from each other. It’s vital for us to come together and take advantage of these opportunities to meet, share information and knowledge, and to fellowship with each other,” she said. “Thank you.”