Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz was recently recognized for his leadership.
Mayor Girtz was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame during the GMA’s (Georgia Municipal Association) 2026 Annual Convention in Savannah. Organizers say the induction recognizes city officials who have made significant contributions to their cities. We spoke with Mayor Girtz at the ceremony. He said the honor caught him by surprise.
“It did, I thought I might need a different number in front of my age than the one that actually is there before I would be the recipient of something like this.”
The mayor, who began his service as a commissioner in 2007, reflected on his tenure coming to an end.
“I find myself simultaneously recognizing the great work we have all been able to do together, and it is group work,” according to Girtz. “This is not a solo act. Every county commissioner I’ve ever worked with, every city manager, every clerk of commission, has had a key role. So, I’m grateful for all of that work, but I’m also conscious of a lot of fertile territory on the road ahead. I’ll be speaking to county commissioners and newly elected commissioners who will be taking office in January, and certainly Mayor-elect Fisher about that opportunity.”
Three other Georgia leaders were also inducted into the Hall of Fame, including Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, College Park mayor Bianca Motley Broom, who is the outgoing GMA President, and Attorney Richard Carothers.
