Kicking off Milton’s 20^th birthday year, Mayor Peyton Jamison used his State of the City address to articulate the City’s purposeful, deliberate, community-driven governing philosophy – how it has shaped and served Milton so well, and how it will continue making us even safer, stronger, and better.

Jamison framed his remarks Wednesday night in City Hall around four elements: “what we’ve built,” “how we govern,” “how we’re guiding growth,” and “how we’re protecting our families and our future.” He praised the efforts of Milton’s early leaders – citing former Mayor Joe Lockwood and Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, specifically – and the engagement of citizens for laying the groundwork for the City’s present and future success.

“Milton has become a mature organization and one of the best-run cities in America,” the Mayor said. “It happened because Milton was built intentionally, with leaders serving as stewards for what comes next.” 

(To watch the State of the City speech in full, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj9hud0Uwqg.)

Jamison touted the City Council and City employees for their diligence, responsiveness, and sincere desire to listen, lead, and serve. He also emphasized Milton’s award-winning financial management and transparency, as well as its collaborative planning and follow-through on promises – including having accomplished each of the dozen tasks within the City’s most recent Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Plan. 

These characteristics and efforts, as well as a firm grasp of the community’s shared values and priorities, contributed to Milton recently being named a National Champion for “Trust in Government.” 

“We do not ask for your trust,” the Mayor said of citizens. “We work hard to earn it day after day, decision by decision.”

‘THE STATE OF OUR CITY IS STRONG’

After an hour of mingling, scores packed City Hall’s Council Chambers on Wednesday night for the State of the City ceremony. City Manager Steve Krokoff started by welcoming them all while singling out a handful of individuals in the room including a pair of Fulton County commissioners, other nearby mayors, local school leaders, as well as several exemplary volunteers.

Then Jamison took the stage, wasting little time to declare: “The State of our City is strong.” He proceeded to explain, with details, exactly why and how that is. 

The Mayor credited the City Council for routinely debating respectfully, asking hard questions, setting high expectations, being disciplined, considering the big picture, and then letting City staff do their jobs. 

“We’ve built a City with a strong foundation, strong people, and a culture that values long-term stewardship,” he said, pointing out the stability, experience, and talent that’s evident in every Milton department.

GUIDING GROWTH IN DEERFIELD TO BEST SERVE THE COMMUNITY

The Mayor talked about the future of Deerfield and how, while growth itself is a reality that cannot be avoided, the City plays a pivotal role in guiding growth “in a way that respects what has come before us and protects what comes next.”

The groundwork for this progress came out of years of planning, such as with the Deerfield Overlay, Highway 9 design guidelines, institution of Deerfield form-based code, and most recently everything in the Deerfield Implementation Plan process. The latter outlined a vision for this area with efficient transportation, safer and better pedestrian connectivity, a uniquely Milton look and feel, and generally more of what the public wants.

“Deerfield is … where we can deliver more of everyday life in one connected place with amenities that serve families year-round,” said Jamison. 

To this point, he alluded to the future construction of an indoor community center and an active athletic park (which will help Milton meet its parks and recreation needs) in the heart of Deerfield. The Mayor also touched on how private companies building out Deerfield can contribute to the greater good with the creation of things like shared trails, civic spaces, parking, and other infrastructure. 

The City assuming ownership over the design and construction of a widened-and-more Highway 9 – which is the backbone of the Deerfield area – plays into this story as well. 

“We are still in the planning stages, but the principle is clear: make clear, fact-based decisions that protect taxpayers and hold up over time,” the Mayor said of the Highway 9 project.

PROTECTING OPEN NATURAL SPACES A PRIORITY

The City has, and will keep, prioritizing the protection of open spaces that help define Milton, according to Jamison. He pointed out that hundreds of acres of greenspace have already been saved for posterity, with the latest being 39 acres off Hopewell Road that should effectively double the size of Providence Park. 

“Opportunities to preserve land are limited,” Jamison said. “And the choices we make today shape what future residents inherit… Because when open land is gone, it’s not just scenery we lose. It is the space that makes a community feel livable and … like home.” 

The soon-to-be completed process of permanently protecting Birmingham Park from development aligns with this narrative. So, too, does the considerable work to add trail, boardwalks, wildlife habitats, and more for citizens’ enjoyment at Milton City Park and Preserve. Additionally, the City is set to take its next steps soon in producing a strategy for the future of all its greenspaces called the Greenprint.

Safeguarding Milton’s rich equestrian heritage is important, too. The Mayor noted how, in collaboration with Speaker Pro Tem Jones, the City approved a provision last year barring fireworks from being set off within 200 yards of a horse farm’s border.

“In Milton, horses are … part of our identity, our landscape, and, for many families, part of their livelihood,” Jamison said. “That [equine fireworks protection] is what it looks like to lead deliberately.”

CLOSES BY EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO CITIZENS

Milton Police and Fire were the centerpieces of the next part of the State of the City speech. 

Calling school safety “a shared responsibility,” the Mayor talked about the expansion (from one to four officers) of Milton Police’s school liaison officer program. This means there is now a consistent, visible, community-building law enforcement presence in every Milton school. Several cities are looking to emulate this initiative, which has been undertaken in close collaboration with Fulton County Schools.

The City also plans to break ground on a new fire station near the Providence Road/New Providence Road/Birmingham Highway roundabout. Jamison called such a building “a commitment to the men and women who run toward danger and to the families who depend on them to arrive quickly and ready.” 

The Mayor pledged support for all Milton firefighters and police officers, adding, “As long as I and this Council hold this office, public safety will remain our highest priority.”

The State of the City concluded with a reflection on the last two decades. “Milton succeeds because it plans ahead, because it listens, because it leads when leadership is required, (and) because it understands that leadership is stewardship,” Jamison said. 

He closed by encouraging residents to continue their earnest, impactful involvement in our community whether it’s through mentoring young people, supporting local businesses, by attending and contributing to public meetings, or simply being involved in their community.

“Thank you for your trust,” Jamison said. “Thank you for your engagement. And thank you for helping build Milton not just for today, but for tomorrow.”