GMA Publications

The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) administers the day to day operations of the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System (GMEBS) Defined Benefit Plan (Plan). This handbook is intended to be a basic guide for the Pension Committee Secretaries (PCS) of employers who participate in the GMEBS Plan.

City Clerks play a vital role in municipal government. While a city clerk’s job function may vary among the 537 cities in Georgia, it, for the most part, encompasses many of the responsibilities outlined and discussed in this handbook. This online resource is for common city clerk job duties and responsibilities.

This online publication is presented as a practical guide that will allow local officials to evaluate issues of tax equity and determine whether residents are being double taxed for services.

This publication has been prepared for municipal officials as a practical guide to the budget process. It includes definitions of budgeting terms, an explanation of the roles of stakeholders in the budget process, and a step-by-step guide to developing a municipal budget.

This publication provides an overview of Georgia’s immigration laws affecting municipalities, focusing on legislative mandates from bills passed between 2006 and 2024. It also includes information from other relevant legislation to help explain the mandates placed on Georgia's municipalities. The guide is tailored for municipal compliance, with additional notes on county and consolidated governments.

This publication offers city officials an overview of key considerations in regulating the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages at the local level. It outlines the broad powers granted to local governments by state law, including the authority to issue, suspend, or revoke licenses.

This publication provides city officials with an overview of the laws governing occupation taxes and regulatory fees. It offers guidance for crafting local ordinances in consultation with legal counsel to ensure compliance with current laws and address community-specific needs.

This publication provides guidance for cities interested in establishing youth councils to engage young citizens in community problem-solving. It explores the benefits of youth participation, such as budget savings, increased support for city initiatives, and better youth-oriented policies.

This publication offers municipal officials an overview of the legal and policy considerations related to the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

This publication serves as a guide for municipal governments on simplified parliamentary procedures to ensure efficient and orderly council meetings. It provides an alternative to Robert’s Rules of Order, which can be cumbersome for smaller legislative bodies.

This publication serves as a guide for city officials in developing comprehensive codes of ethics and addressing ethical challenges in their daily responsibilities.

The purpose of this guide is to educate and familiarize local governments about the Hope Act and foster a better understanding of the important role they serve in potentially providing local access to medical cannabis in their communities through dispensaries and pharmacies licensed and regulated by the state.

Redistricting, or reapportionment, is the complex process of redrawing political district boundaries to reflect population changes, often prompted by census data. This GMA guide helps cities navigate the legal and political challenges of redistricting, emphasizing the need for equitable representation and adherence to constitutional principles.

This publication offers city officials an overview of best practices for streamlining the permitting process to promote transparency and support economic development. It highlights solutions implemented by Georgia cities to simplify the process, making it more efficient and encouraging growth in their communities.

This publication provides a step-by-step guide to Georgia's annexation laws as outlined in Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

This revised Georgia Model Municipal Charter serves as a resource for city officials looking to update their city charters or for communities considering incorporation.

This publication offers elected municipal officials a comprehensive guide to the operations and legal framework of municipal courts. It includes a range of model documents, such as ordinances, service agreements, and best practices developed by the Georgia Municipal Association.

This publication from the Georgia Municipal Association provides essential guidance for city officials involved in renegotiating the distribution of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) proceeds.

This publication provides municipal officials with an updated guide to Georgia's open meetings and open records laws. It includes narratives, checklists, FAQs, and sample forms to help cities comply with these laws, focusing on areas most relevant to local government operations.

This guide explains changes in Georgia's tax code, specifically those affecting municipal revenue, following the passage of HB 386 in 2012.