Georgia Communities Vote on FLOST for Property Tax Relief

On November 4, voters across Georgia approved 32 of the 36 Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) referendums on the ballot, marking a major step in the rollout of this new property tax relief tool andbringing the total number of counties adopting FLOST to 34, or about 21% of all counties in the state. .

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Events

Cities United Summit

GMA's Cities United Summit will take place at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park from January 23-26, 2026. Join other city officials for unmatched training opportunities, hear from candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and attend the Capitol Connection Breakfast followed by a “Cities United” trip to the Gold Dome.
Article | Housing

Foundations for Growth: Rural Mayors Take on Georgia’s Housing Shortage

Across rural Georgia, mayors are finding creative ways to close the housing gap, from zoning updates to public-private partnerships. Their stories, shared at the Georgia Chamber Foundation’s Rural Prosperity Summit, reveal how housing drives workforce and community success.
This Week in D.C.

Federal Policy Council Discusses Federal Priorities at Fall Meeting

GMA’s Federal Policy Council met on November 13 to review federal issues shaping city operations, from housing and infrastructure to disaster relief, and to discuss ways cities can strengthen their engagement with federal partners.

Upcoming Events

Dec
02
DOAA Annual Immigration Report Webinar
Dec
04
Clerk Lunch & Learn
Albany
Dec
05
RMEBS DECEMBER 2025 BOARD MEETING
Dec
08
December 2025 Quarterly Georgia Government Communicators Meeting
Atlanta
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In the Spotlight

Grant and Award Opportunities | Infrastructure

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Funding

The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA) established the WIFIA program, an EPA-operated bank that provides supplemental, flexible, low-cost credit assistance to public and private borrowers for all types of wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater projects. Deadline: December 31, 2026
Viewpoints

Looking Up

October 16, 2025
GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson reflects on how “looking up” — both literally and figuratively — inspires perspective, optimism, and progress in Georgia’s cities, as communities address housing, drive economic growth, and turn challenges into opportunities through positive leadership and collaboration.

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.

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City Spotlight

Elberton, located in GMA's District 5, sits in Elbert County and has a population of about 4,640 people. The city was incorporated in 1803 and is known for being the Granite Capitol of the World. Elberton has more than 45 quarries for producing granite, as well as a granite museum featuring exciting historical exhibits, artifacts, and educational displays. Perhaps their most popular granite display is the 20,000-seat Granite Bowl historical football field made out of 100,000 tons of blue granite!

Fun Fact: Elberton has more than just granite to offer; it also has a rich history relating to the Revolutionary War and a lively downtown with various events and festivals.