Cities to Lawmakers: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Georgia city officials told a House study committee on October 21 that one property tax fix won’t work for every city. Officials from Suwanee, Rome, Decatur, Macon-Bibb, Perry, Cedartown and Columbus explained how rising costs and changes to property tax rules would hit their budgets. They asked lawmakers to give cities more tools instead of new limits.

Get the details from the hearing

Article | Taxation

Georgia Supreme Court Strikes Down Chatham County Fire Fee

A recent Georgia Supreme Court ruling striking down Chatham County’s fire service fee could have significant implications for how cities across Georgia fund fire protection and other essential services.
This Week in D.C.

HUD Releases Next Generation Manufactured Housing Action Plan

On October 7, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the Next Generation Manufactured Housing Action Plan, a framework that modernizes the 50-year-old HUD Code to implement the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which was signed into law in July.
Updates

The Future of Connected Communities Takes Partnership

GMA’s 2026 Georgia Broadband Summit brought city officials and partners together to share resources, build connections and explore the future of connected communities.

Upcoming Events

Sep
23
Human Resources Administration Certificate (HRAC) Fall 26
Waycross
Oct
22
Customer Service Certificate Program (CSCP)
Atlanta
Oct
26
District 4 Fall Meeting 2026
Zebulon
Oct
26
2026 Georgia Association of Land Bank Authorities
Atlanta
View Full Calendar

In the Spotlight

Viewpoints

The Infrastructure You Can't See

October 07, 2026
Roads, pipes and power systems get most of the attention when we talk about resilience. But Georgia's cities also depend on another kind of infrastructure: trust. It takes years to build, can be lost quickly and matters most when the stakes are highest.
Grant and Award Opportunities | Arts & Culture

Youth Placemaking Grant

The Youth Placemaking Grant, a partnership between the Georgia Cities Foundation and GeorgiaForward, provides an opportunity for communities to engage young people in creating meaningful improvements to public spaces while strengthening their connection to their cities. Deadline: November 13, 2026

Smart Solutions for City Success

Empowering City Leaders with Knowledge and Skills

The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute offers city officials a comprehensive learning experience, covering everything from municipal finance and budgeting to ethics and data literacy. Designed to enhance leadership and expertise in local government, this program is a partnership between GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government—equipping officials with the tools they need to serve their communities effectively.

Learn More

Person receiving training certificate.

City Spotlight

Martin, located in GMA’s District 2, is a Stephens County city with a population of about 336 people. Incorporated in 1891, this small rural town is known for its historical charm and quiet setting. Every year the town hosts a Fall Festival that spans a quarter mile with plenty of food, activities, and fun for residents and visitors alike.

Fun Fact: The town was named after John Martin, a previous Georgia Governor in 1782.