It has truly been an honor to be in your service for the past four years. The restructuring in Peachtree City has been very successful. I remained true to my core values: love your citizens as you would yourself, listen to others, obey the law, be fiscally responsible, encourage innovation and stand up for what is right on behalf of my constituents.

We created the strongest land planning, storm-water and tree-save ordinances in our history to protect our quality of life. We implemented the smoking ban in non-residential facilities to protect our children’s health. We took the needs of our seniors and children seriously.

Prior to my council taking office, the previous council enacted across-the-board pay increases (over $750,000), spent nearly all of their contingency funds, added 14 new staff positions, failed to recognize a sharp decline in impact fees, depleted reserves and rolled the millage tax rate back to create the largest budget shortfall in our history in the midst of the worst economy in our city’s history.

We took bold steps and showed fiscal discipline with immediate budget cuts in 2002 in excess of $1 million and cut over $10 million of city projects in the public improvement program.

Four years later our bond rating was elevated to the highest ranking in the city’s history with only two local governments in the entire state ranking higher. We received GFOA’s Distinguished Budgeting Award for the first time in our history with more funds appropriated for roads and cart paths (a record $66 million with an additional $11 million from SPLOST) than any other time in history.

We are one of the most open governments in Georgia. Four years ago the voters did not come to the polls to vote for “a voice.” They came to the polls so that THEIR voice could be heard and over the last four years the average citizens of this city have been heard.

Everyone has access to the mayor. While not everyone is going to be satisfied with the outcome of every council vote, the vast majority of people will tell you that our process over the past four years has been painstakingly fair. There are no prepackaged agenda items with prearranged outcomes.

We also had unprecedented collaborative efforts including the founding the Metropolitan Atlanta Mayors Association and the “74 Alliance” working on the interchange I-85 and Highway 74.

www.MayorSteve.com

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