Mayor Learnard answers Peachtree City voter guide

Below are Mayor Learnard's answers as submitted to The Citizen for the November 2025 voter guide, published on October 8, 2025.

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Governance & Transparency

1. What sets you apart from your opponent? How would you be a better choice?

I am proudly running on my record—not on misinformation and half-truths. Voters know they can trust me. I’ve lived here 26 years, raised my family here, and have been re-elected every time I ran. My opponent was the mayor 20 years ago but after one term in office, Peachtree City voters handed him the largest election landslide defeat in city history. 

I am a collaborative, approachable leader who believes in working with people, not against them. I have built strong partnerships with schools, businesses, neighborhoods, and officials in local, state, and federal government. I support the community events our families love.

Under my leadership, we are revitalizing our villages, solving traffic, and making our community a more safe and beautiful place. We welcomed new businesses into buildings that sat vacant for years. We blocked overdevelopment. We expanded the paths and upgraded our recreation facilities. We lowered the millage rate to provide tax relief (my opponent raised taxes when he was mayor). We are one of the Top 10 Safest Cities in Georgia. 

This year’s election presents a clear choice between steady, positive leadership and negative, dysfunctional politics of the past. I am Peachtree City’s biggest champion. My opponent has trouble finding anything good to say about our community. 

Peachtree City deserves continued positive, forward-looking leadership.

2. Outside of public comments, how will you ensure residents have a stronger voice in city government?

   
   

Since I took office, citizen engagement has skyrocketed. We launched “The Slice,” our weekly e-newsletter, which now reaches nearly 24,000 subscribers, and I film “Mondays with the Mayor” videos to keep residents informed about Council decisions. We created “Slice of the City” village visits, a Recreation Advisory Group, a Transportation Advisory Group, the new PTC 101 class, and a Summer Internship program – all giving our residents fresh opportunities to get involved and make their voices heard.  

We’ve also continued popular programs like CERT and the Citizens Police Academy, while our Fire Department added a Community Outreach Coordinator who works directly with schools and community groups. I’ve hosted Town Hall meetings on traffic, recreation, city communications, and the new HB 581 property tax bill. Our meetings are now videotaped and livestreamed. We even moved one of our bi-monthly evening Council meetings to the morning, to encourage broader participation. Public Comment in our meetings is three minutes, standard practice across the state (including Tyrone, Fayetteville, Dunwoody, and most cities with a Public Comment policy).

To connect with our business community, we launched “The Compass” e-newsletter and hired an Economic Development Manager. I maintain an open-door policy, meeting regularly with both individuals and groups. My priority has been—and will remain—ensuring that every resident has easy, meaningful ways to be heard in Peachtree City government. 

Growth, Development & Annexation

1. How would you protect Peachtree City’s village concept while also planning for future growth?

   
   

Peachtree City founder Joel Cowan has endorsed me for a second term because I uphold his original vision for our city. 

Revitalizing our villages has been a top priority in my first term. When I took office, there were storefronts in town that had sat empty for years. Now we have J. Alexanders coming to the Smokey Bones location, family-owned B. Turner’s clothing in the old Stein Mart, and Homesense in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond. Peachtree City landed the first Trader Joe’s on the south side, opening at the end of this month, and The Avenue is adding new exit lanes to the parking lot. Willowbend shopping center is being transformed into the Willow District with walkability and gathering spaces.

My opponent’s claims of “urbanization” are nothing more than election year fear-mongering. The only apartments built in the last 20 years were Somerby and Hearthside–senior living facilities. 

Like most of our citizens, I oppose high density residential. I rejected proposals for apartments at the former Kmart site—not once, but twice. Today, that property is home to Ace Pickleball, with Altitude Trampoline Park coming soon. In Aberdeen Village, the owner of Partners Pizza is now revitalizing the center with a new restaurant, new retail, a rooftop patio, and 12 owned condo units—this is a far cry from the original proposal for 190 apartments which I strongly opposed. 

We’ll continue to balance growth with preservation so that Peachtree City remains the unique, vibrant community we all love.

Traffic & Infrastructure

1. What additional solutions would you propose for Highway 54/74, and how should Peachtree City work with Fayette County and GDOT to implement them?

   
   

Traffic is my number one concern, and I take traffic implications into account with every decision I make for Peachtree City. Highways 54 and 74 are state roads. The 54/74 improvement project is funded by GDOT and scheduled for completion next summer. Once construction is complete, GDOT will re-time the traffic signals from the MacDuff bridge to City Hall to improve flow.

I have already convened officials from Fayette County, our neighboring cities, and GDOT for the next step: a Scoping Study of the west corridor. This collaborative effort will identify and recommend additional long-term improvements beyond the 54/74 intersection. I will continue to push for smart, coordinated solutions to ease congestion and improve mobility across our community.

We need to be honest about how we got here. Twenty years ago, my opponent personally recommended the six traffic lights that now choke Highway 54 West. As mayor, he ushered in overdevelopment on both sides of 54 West. He also stopped the planned, paid-for TDK Boulevard connection to Coweta County. While that project was controversial and stopping it may have been the right choice, failing to create an alternative east–west route to relieve Highway 54 was a serious mistake and today we are living with the consequences. 

I am focused on long term solutions. By working with Fayette County, our neighboring cities, and GDOT, I will continue to address today’s challenges and plan responsibly for the future.

2. Which city roads beyond 54/74 do you see as priorities for improvement, and how would you address them?

   
   

In my second term, we will continue making traffic improvements across the city. In 2025, we approved the construction contract to add dual left-turn lanes from Huddleston Road northbound onto Highway 54 westbound, a much-needed upgrade for that busy corridor. We also approved the engineering design for new sewer, stormwater, and path infrastructure along Huddleston Road—long overdue improvements that will support local businesses.

At Peachtree Parkway and Crosstown Road, we are acquiring right-of-way in preparation for the construction of a new roundabout to improve safety and traffic flow. In addition, we have partnered to share the cost of paving a new access road from Rockaway Road to Meade Fields, providing safer access to our athletic facilities.

These projects are well underway, and I look forward to seeing them implemented in my second term. They reflect the kind of thoughtful, forward-looking planning that keeps Peachtree City moving safely and efficiently.

Parks & Recreation

1. Do you support the recently adopted Parks & Recreation Master Plan? Why or why not?

Yes. Peachtree City is a master-planned community and recreation has always been central to our quality of life. Since 1999, Peachtree City has relied on a Recreation Master Plan to guide our decisions. In January of 2025 City Council unanimously adopted the first new plan in 15 years. 

This month, we will break ground on 18 long-awaited public pickleball courts at Meade Athletic Complex. My opponent railed against these courts, stating on camera, “I mean God, this is stupid! Why would we do this?” 

On my watch, we have sharpened our focus on cleaning, repairing, upgrading, and maintaining our recreation facilities. We renovated Riley Fields with a new track, upgraded playgrounds citywide, and restored the Tennis Center. We opened a new ADA playground and improved parking facilities at the PAC. We installed LED lights at tennis courts and softball, lacrosse, and baseball fields. Soon we will move forward with restrooms at Drake Field and a Veterans plaza on Kelly Drive.

The Recreation Master Plan reflects robust community input, with more than 2,400 surveys completed, over 40 stakeholder interviews, and professional guidance from a third-party expert. It captures what our citizens want for the future in terms of recreation programs and facilities. 

The plan provides a roadmap, but it will be up to the 2026 City Council and future City Councils to set priorities, secure funding, and continue listening to residents as projects move forward. I see this as an exciting opportunity for ensuring our recreation programs for future generations.

Finances & Budget

1. What is your opinion of the current city budget? Would you have voted to pass it, and why or why not?

   
   

One of my top priorities is tax relief. My opponent claims to be a fiscal hawk, but when he was mayor, he increased the millage rate by a whopping 22.4 percent, raising taxes on residents. 

We all know what it means to do more with less, and I believe local government should do the same. In FY2025, I lowered the millage rate; the FY2026 budget reduces it even more. In addition, I joined other mayors in opting into the new state law, HB 581, limiting property assessment increases to the rate of inflation starting in 2026 and every year thereafter. 

Because of my strong relationships with state and federal officials, Peachtree City secured a property tax break for low income seniors (a ballot referendum on Nov. 4), and we are now awaiting a $1.172 million federal grant to remodel the former Big Shots gun range into a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center to serve the entire community.

We have a strong, conservative budget and a healthy rainy-day fund. Nearly half of the budget goes to my top budget priority—public safety—and we are ranked one of the Top 10 Safest Cities in Georgia because of it.   

Our budget process was thorough, transparent, and included multiple opportunities for public input. We held budget discussions in April, June, and July, followed by a public hearing. I am proud of the months of work that went into crafting this balanced, responsible budget, which City Council unanimously adopted in September.

2. Do you believe Peachtree City’s reserves are appropriate? If so, why? If not, why?

   
   

The FY2026 budget plan includes reserves of 59%. This level of reserves provides important protection for our community. Healthy reserves safeguard the city against economic downturns, ensure we can respond quickly to natural disasters (like the tornado that devastated Newnan in 2021, calling for an immediate expense in excess of $12 million for that city) or other emergencies, and they help us maintain our Moody's AAA bond rating (which we achieved in March of 2023), lowering borrowing costs for taxpayers. Reserves also allow us to manage large, unexpected expenses without raising taxes. They give us the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities—such as grant matching or land purchases—when they arise.

For all these reasons, I believe Peachtree City’s reserves are appropriate, and essential to our long-term financial stability.

3. Increases in pay rates for Peachtree City Staff including first responders and police have not kept up with inflation in the last several years’ budgets. What would you do about this? Why do you think it matters… or doesn’t? 

In 2023, Peachtree City conducted a comprehensive pay and benefits study, comparing our staff positions to those in 14 peer communities. One key finding was that starting police pay in Peachtree City was comparatively low. In response, we increased starting police pay by 11%, making our city competitive in recruiting and retaining officers. 

The results speak for themselves: our police department is now fully staffed, and Part 1 crimes dropped 25% from the end of the first quarter of 2024 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. We are now working with the Fayette County School System to place a full-time School Resource Officer in every elementary school to ensure our children’s safety. (Our middle and high schools already have them.)

Both our police and fire departments continue to hold the highest professional accreditations. Looking ahead, the FY2026 budget includes three new firefighter positions to staff the new fire station soon to be built on south Highway 74.

In my second term, we will plan for the next compensation study to ensure not only our police officers, but every city staff member, is competitively paid. Investing in our employees is essential: it helps us attract and retain the best talent, maintain high-quality services, and keep Peachtree City one of the Top Ten Safest Cities in Georgia.

Environment & Greenspaces

1. What specific improvements or protections would you prioritize for our greenspaces during your term? 

   
   

In 2025, Peachtree City created and filled a new position—Certified Arborist—who provides professional expertise in caring for our greenspaces. This ensures that our tree canopy is managed to the highest standards. Each year, we dedicate a portion of our budget to tree care, greenspace management, and replanting.

We also have a tree ordinance that guides responsible development, protecting buffers and requiring tree replacement. We have welcomed the Southern Conservation Trust to Peachtree City for educational and environmental programming, and stewardship of our 620 acres of nature areas (Line Creek, Flat Creek, and Somerby Woods).

Our path system is intentionally designed to weave through protected greenspaces, preserving the natural look and feel of Peachtree City. Decades of thoughtful planning have kept large areas of greenspace intact, ensuring they remain central to our quality of life.

Together, these efforts—backed by both city policy and community values—show why Peachtree City was honored as a Tree City USA in 2025, and why protecting our natural environment will always remain one of my top priorities. I will carry out Joel Cowan’s original vision for protecting greenspaces, as they are essential to our quality of life.

Public Safety

1. How should Peachtree City address recruitment and retention challenges in police and fire? 

   
   

As I detailed in Question 3, our strategy of increasing pay and benefits has worked, and we now have a fully staffed police force and fire department. Our first responders risk their lives and health everyday to keep our community safe; they deserve our respect and support. 

The results speak for themselves: our police department is now fully staffed, and Part 1 crimes dropped 25% from the end of the first quarter of 2024 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. We are now working with the Fayette County School System to place a full-time School Resource Officer in every elementary school to ensure our children’s safety. (Our middle and high schools already have them.)

Both our police and fire departments continue to hold the highest professional accreditations. Looking ahead, the FY2026 budget includes three new firefighter positions to staff the new fire station soon to be built on south Highway 74.

In my second term, we will plan for the next compensation study to ensure not only our police officers, but every city staff member, is competitively paid. Investing in our employees is essential: it helps us attract and retain the best talent, maintain high-quality services, and keep Peachtree City one of the Top Ten Safest Cities in Georgia.

Community & Identity

1. What do you see as its biggest threat that must be addressed?

The biggest threat to Peachtree City’s future would be electing a poor leader who fails to safeguard our quality of life. Shortsighted decisions—like those we’ve seen from my opponent—would worsen traffic, threaten our way of life, and undermine the safety and character of our community.

My opponent was the mayor of Peachtree City for one term, 2002-2005. His leadership was described as “mired in dysfunction and infighting” and a negative identity of Peachtree City made the pages of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. His combative style eroded trust, divided colleagues, and drove dysfunction. He profoundly increased the millage rate, raising taxes on our citizens. Quality employees left the city. He is single-handedly responsible for a list of mistakes that resulted in the traffic congestion we are dealing with to this day. One look at his campaign and you can see that he has no plans for our city; his focus is on distortions, personal attacks, and partisan division. It’s no wonder that after one term in office, Peachtree City voters handed him the largest election landslide defeat in city history. We will not take our city backwards 20 years.

By contrast, I provide focus, steadiness, and solutions. My leadership approach and strong sense of community are reasons why I am supported by our city’s founder, four former mayors, respected former council members, and local leaders in business, industry, and education. 

2. What specific steps should Peachtree City take to attract the next generation of families and businesses? 

   
   

My strength as mayor is bringing people together — from families and neighborhoods to our airport and industrial park. I’ve conducted listening sessions with young families to learn directly what they want for Peachtree City, both now and in the future. Based on their feedback, we made the splash pad free, removed credit card readers from field lights, and added new events like the Homerun Derby and Family Football Tailgating. We’ve been re-certified as both a Runner Friendly and Bike Friendly Community — key features that keep us attractive to active families.

Peachtree City also has a strong business climate and people want to build their future here. I have worked to connect our industries and technical colleges to provide a strong workforce pipeline and drive opportunity. Our city Economic Development Department is focused on growth, small business support, and job creation.

This summer Peachtree City commissioned a professional survey. The results were clear: 87% of our citizens are happy with the Peachtree City quality of life — that’s 12% higher than peer cities nationwide. And just this year, we were named one of America’s Best Small Towns to Raise a Family.

Like you, I love this community and I will continue to protect all that we cherish about our city so future citizens can enjoy the quality of life that makes Peachtree City one of a kind.

If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you. Please send me an email at Kim@KimLearnardForMayor.com or visit my website, KimLearnardForMayor.com.