Kelly is from Norfolk, Virginia. He attended Old Dominion University, graduating with a degree in sociology. Kelly also received his master's degree in teaching from Piedmont College. He lives with his wife and son in Athens.

Kelly previously worked as regional director for student services at Foothills Education Charter High School. He also worked as a teacher and principal at Classic City High School.

Kelly Girtz is currently Mayor of Athens. He was elected in 2018 and has served one term. In 2010, Kelly was elected District 9 County Commissioner and he has served two terms.

Wants to continue the re-building of Loop 10 interchanges at Lexington Highway and Atlanta Highway.

As Mayor, Kelly oversaw the Firefly Trail extension project. Kelly said that efforts to expand trails “provide safe recreation and access to amenities to thousands of children and families”.

As Mayor, Kelly supervised the completion of new sidewalk segments in under-supported areas such as Baxter Street, King Avenue, and Magnolia Street.

Wants to increase the frequency of key Athens Transit routes. Said new investment in transit “no longer means that there is an hour to wait for the next bus,... \[but rather it is] a matter of just ten or fifteen minutes”.

- Wants to continue the re-building of Loop 10 interchanges at Lexington Highway and Atlanta Highway.
- As Mayor, Kelly oversaw the Firefly Trail extension project. Kelly said that efforts to expand trails “provide safe recreation and access to amenities to thousands of children and families”. 
- As Mayor, Kelly supervised the completion of new sidewalk segments in under-supported areas such as Baxter Street, King Avenue, and Magnolia Street.
- Wants to increase the frequency of key Athens Transit routes. Said new investment in transit “no longer means that there is an hour to wait for the next bus,... \[but rather it is] a matter of just ten or fifteen minutes”.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As Mayor, he helped develop six Tax Allocation Districts to bring below-market housing stock to construction.

As Mayor, he organized the purchase and revitalization of the North Downtown/Bethel Midtown Village area. This project will create 500+ bedrooms of below-market apartments and 500+ market-rate apartments.

Wants to focus on revitalizing the East Athens/Nellie B community.

Supports a “Housing First” approach to ensure the unsheltered community in Athens can obtain housing without worry.

- As Mayor, he helped develop six Tax Allocation Districts to bring below-market housing stock to construction. 
- As Mayor, he organized the purchase and revitalization of the North Downtown/Bethel Midtown Village area. This project will create 500+ bedrooms of below-market apartments and 500+ market-rate apartments. 
- Wants to focus on revitalizing the East Athens/Nellie B community.
- Supports a “Housing First” approach to ensure the unsheltered community in Athens can obtain housing without worry.

Housing & Urban Development

As Mayor, he oversaw over $2 million in aid given to small businesses.

As Mayor, he created the Athens Community Corps to bring more jobs to residents.

Said, “The work of great grassroots organizations in Athens holds the key to steering our young residents toward pro-social endeavors that will have lifelong positive consequences for their lives”.

Wants to create a partnership with the Clarke County School District and nonprofits in the area to connect the youth to local programming.

- As Mayor, he oversaw over $2 million in aid given to small businesses. 
- As Mayor, he created the Athens Community Corps to bring more jobs to residents.
- Said, “The work of great grassroots organizations in Athens holds the key to steering our young residents toward pro-social endeavors that will have lifelong positive consequences for their lives”.
- Wants to create a partnership with the Clarke County School District and nonprofits in the area to connect the youth to local programming.

Public Services

As Mayor, raised the police department salary minimum to $47,000/year.

As Mayor, oversaw the addition of counselors for the crisis intervention team that respond to emergency calls where violence is not involved.

Created the Neighborhood Leaders program to connect residents with local government.

- As Mayor, raised the police department salary minimum to $47,000/year.
- As Mayor, oversaw the addition of counselors for the crisis intervention team that respond to emergency calls where violence is not involved.
- Created the Neighborhood Leaders program to connect residents with local government.

Public Safety

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In 2021, Kelly helped get the FY22 city budget passed. This included raising the minimum wage, new youth programs, fare-free transit, homeless initiatives, and a civil rights ordinance.

- In 2021, Kelly helped get the FY22 city budget passed. This included raising the minimum wage, new youth programs, fare-free transit, homeless initiatives, and a civil rights ordinance.

City Budget

Kelly Girtz

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 