Tifton Mayor Julie Smith hosted Congressman Austin Scott (GA‑8) and several South Georgia mayors on Wednesday for a roundtable discussion on the latest issues affecting their communities and GMA’s federal policy priorities. Congress’ August and October recess periods offer excellent opportunities for cities to engage their congressional delegation locally, and this meeting highlighted how valuable those conversations can be.
Douglas Mayor Tony Paulk, Adel Mayor Buddy Duke, and Ty Ty Mayor Keith Beasley joined the Congressman in Downtown Tifton, along with his Chief of Staff Alice Johnson and Director of Outreach Charles White. The group discussed a wide range of topics, with a particular focus on the challenges facing small, rural cities and the role federal partners can play in supporting them.
Federal Grants
The discussion opened with GMA's top federal priority, a proposed OMB rule that would change how federal grants are administered. The mayors shared their experiences navigating federal grant applications and program management, underscoring the unique challenges small cities encounter. They noted that the application process is already complex and that many communities lack the resources to hire dedicated grant coordinators, limiting access to federal funding.
The mayors emphasized that the proposed OMB rule would add further administrative burden and potentially put much‑needed funding at risk, making it even harder for small cities to participate in federal programs.
Infrastructure Funding
Water and transportation infrastructure needs were another major topic of discussion. Several mayors described critical local projects and the limited funds available to address them. Congressman Scott acknowledged these challenges and offered his office’s assistance in navigating federal funding opportunities.
He also reminded the group that Congress continues to work on reauthorization of the surface transportation and water resources packages, with a likely short‑term funding extension through December.
Data Centers
Congressman Scott raised data centers as an important issue for cities across the district. Mayors shared their experiences with the industry, echoing the Congressman’s concerns around public transparency and local resource usage. The Congressman encouraged cities to weigh the financial and economic development benefits of hosting a data center while also acknowledging the need for guidance in navigating these complex agreements.
Emergency Management
The meeting concluded with a discussion on FEMA reform and disaster recovery—an issue deeply relevant for many South Georgia communities. With the House FEMA Reform Act gaining traction, Congressman Scott expressed support for fundamental changes to FEMA but did not indicate whether the current legislation is likely to pass both chambers.
Mayors highlighted how cities impacted by Hurricane Helene continue to face long delays in reimbursement and emphasized the need for more support and a better understanding from state and federal partners on what steps to take following natural disasters.
Scheduling a Roundtable With Your Member of Congress
Cities interested in hosting a similar roundtable event with their congressional delegation can contact GMA’s Federal Relations Manager, Molly McLoughlin, for assistance. Molly can help schedule meetings with congressional offices, prepare relevant discussion guides, coordinate with nearby cities, and provide other support as needed.
While August and October recess periods offer the most accessible opportunities to engage Members of Congress, cities can still connect with their representatives throughout the year with GMA’s help.