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Council postpones renewing Cities of Civility designation until January 2026
Summary
Peachtree City council voted to table consideration of renewing the Georgia Municipal Association 'Cities of Civility' designation until January 2026 after debate over timing and turnover of council membership.
The Peachtree City council voted to postpone consideration of renewing its Cities of Civility designation until January 2026, citing timing concerns tied to council membership cycles.
Why it matters: The Georgia Municipal Association’s Cities of Civility program encourages public officials to adopt a statement pledging civil conduct. The designation requires reauthorization; the city’s current designation was set to expire in May. Some council members said the pledge is valuable while others said the council should delay a re-commitment until after potential changes in council membership in January 2026.
Discussion summary: One councilmember argued that the pledge is an oath-like statement and suggested delaying until a full two-year council cycle is in place to avoid having members commit for a term they will not serve. Another councilmember said the pledge signals unity and respect and supported renewing immediately; others raised that many Georgia municipalities have not signed the program and that there would be no legal penalty for not renewing.
Council action: A motion to table the renewal until January 2026 passed by voice vote.
Next steps: Staff will place the item on a January 2026 agenda for reconsideration if the council does not act earlier.
Ending: Councilmembers who favored the pledge noted it can be re-adopted in the future but accepted postponement to ensure the body that signs the pledge will serve the full period of the designation.
