GMA Cancels In-Person Annual Convention, Moves to Virtual Convention

Following consultation with the GMA Officers and Executive Committee, the association has made the decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Convention as an in-person event and instead hold a virtual conference. Everyone who is currently registered for the convention will be cancelled and sent a full refund in the same method as the payment was received. All hotel reservations booked through the GMA system will be automatically cancelled. Contact Erica Grier at epowell@gacities.com or Janice Eidson at jeidson@gacities.com with convention-specific questions, and contact Aileen Harris at aharris@gacities.com or Alan Dickerson at adickerson@gacities.com regarding online and/or general training opportunities.
 
Read more on the convention changes.

RESPONSE NEEDED: Georgia Department of Economic Development/DOAS Survey

On Monday, April 13, the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) emailed all procurement officers from cities registered with the department information to complete an important survey. This survey is being administered to gauge needed purchases from municipalities related to PPE, other equipment and supplies directly from the state. The deadline for completing the survey is Thursday, April 16.  If cities do not have a procurement officer or a city is not registered with DOAS, please contact Deputy Commissioner Lisa Eason at Lisa.eason@doas.ga.gov or 470-371-1284.

REGISTER TODAY: GMA’s Municipal Budget Forecasting and Impact Analysis in Uncertain Times 


When: April 30, 2:00 p.m. 

This webinar will begin with remarks from Georgia Department of Revenue Commissioner, David Curry, who will share what anticipated revenue collections will look like in the coming months in Georgia. The Commissioner will be followed by a GMA staff presentation that will provide practical tips to assist cities with budget projections and impact assessment of revenue shortfalls in times of uncertainty or crisis. The final segment will feature a panel of practitioners from small, medium and large cities in Georgia, facilitated by Ocilla Mayor Matt Seale. This segment will focus on best practices in planning for pandemic-related impacts on city revenues, expenditures and service provisions. Participants will be invited to engage in a Q&A with panelists at the end of the webinar. This webinar is an ideal program for practitioners (finance directors, city clerks and city managers), as well as mayors and councilmembers.
 
Register in Advance: Zoom Meeting
Direct link: 
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApdOirrT8oH9VBipkPi_e85ezK-y8hM3oT

Once registration is completed, a confirmation email will be sent containing information about joining the webinar.

COVID-19 & City Budgets: What Georgia’s City Leaders Are Seeing 

A survey of Georgia cities paints an early snapshot of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on municipal budgets. This report summarizes the findings from 90 Georgia cities—70% of these responding cities have fewer than 5,000 residents.
 
Revenue Shortfall
  • 78 out of 90 cities (86.7%) expect a revenue shortfall between March 1 and December 31, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Of the 78 cities that expect a revenue shortfall, 65 (83.3%) indicated an estimated percentage. Of these 65 cities, 52 (80.0%) expect a shortfall of 10% or more of their annual budget.

These are not just numbers, they represent the means to provide services for residents, to the families and businesses in Georgia’s communities, to keep them safe and healthy and protect their quality of life. Read the full impact survey.

The White House Provides FAQ to Combat Drug Demand & Opioid Crisis   

The White House and Administration are committed to providing Americans with vital mental health resources and services especially through expanding telehealth services, continuing the Administration’s efforts to combat drug demand and the opioid crisis. Follow this link for a helpful Fact Sheet from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) outlining efforts and resources to ensure that prevention, treatment, recovery support, and safe and effective pain management remain available nationwide.

WEBINARS: Register to Attend

GMA's Coronavirus Resource Center

As GMA receives resources surrounding COVID-19, we will update the Coronavirus Resource Center for Municipal Officials

GMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center Features Municipal Operations & Public Safety Guidance


Additional Resource:

Visit GMA's COVID-19 Resource Center

Coronavirus Hotline
1-844-442-2681 
 

Contact GMA

GMA is here to help you! Please send all of your emails to gacities@gacities.com. We are regularly checking this email box. 


GMA's Listservs

City managers, finance directors and clerks, remember to stay connected with each other through GMA’s convenient listservs. To join, email Becky Taylor at: btaylor@gacities.com

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