Kelly Girtz

Mayor Kelly Girtz

Kelly Girtz, Mayor of Athens-Clarke County (2019-present)
706-369-9457
kelly.girtz@accgov.com
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Professional and Civic Experience
Assistant Director for Student Services of Foothills Charter High School, formerly a teacher and administrator with Clarke County School District – W.R. Coile Middle School, Classic City High School (1998-2014)
Junior League of Athens Advisory Board
Commissioner of District 9 (2007-2018)
Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, Piedmont College
Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Old Dominion University
Party Affiliation
Primary Ballots: Exclusively takes Democratic primary ballots.
Donations: Donated to John Edwards (D) in 2007.

Inferred Party: Democrat

“A new era of equity approaches.”
-Kelly Girtz, at his inauguration

Signature Policies

Collaboration: In contrast to his predecessor, Mayor Girtz has committed to working in collaboration with both the commission and concerned residents alike. Items will no longer be blocked from the agenda against the wishes of a majority of commissioners.

3-Point Plan for Affordable Housing: Mayor Girtz ran on plan for affordable housing during his 2018 campaign. It includes a property tax freeze for low-income seniors, significant investment in affordable housing via SPLOST and by using Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) and pursuit of a policy of inclusionary zoning.

100% Renewable Energy: Mayor Girtz signed the Sierra Club Mayor’s 100% Clean Energy Pledge shortly after taking office in 2019. The commission soon followed with their own resolution in support of 100% clean energy.

Voting Record

  • 2018
    Fund Cedar Creek Solar Array: YES
    Move Work Sessions to City Hall: YES
    Redesign the Chase Street Corridor: YES
    Update County Anti-Discrimination Policy: YES
    Reject Concept Maps for Athens in Motion: NO
    Adopt the Athens in Motion plan: YES
    Protected Bike Lanes for Barnett Shoals: YES
    Delay the Designation of SPLOST Projects: NO
    (More information about 2018 votes)

  • 2017
    Temporary Halt to Downtown Development: YES
    Consultant Selection for Bike / Ped Master Plan: YES
    TSPLOST project list and referendum: YES
    Re-zoning Mitchell Street: NO
    (More information about 2017 votes)

  • 2016
    “Road Diet” for Chase Street: YES
    Allow Sale of Growlers in Brewpubs: absent
    Fare-Free Bus Rides for K-12 Students: YES
    Downtown Anti-Discrimination Ordinance and Civil Rights Committee: abstain
    (More information about 2016 votes)

  • 2015
    Allow Backyard Chickens: YES
    Remove Wetland Buffers: NO
    Award Jail Phone Contract to Securus Tech: absent
    Allow Food Trucks: YES
    Keep Domestic Partnership Benefits: YES
    (More information about 2015 votes)