Facts about our City government  

Social Circle, Georgia, established by Charter, is governed by a Mayor who is elected at large and four City Council members who are elected by district. The Mayor and City Council members are elected to a four-year term, and elections are staggered such that not more than three City Council seats are up for election at the same time.

The Mayor Pro Tempore is voted on annually and presides in the absence of the Mayor.

It is the responsibility of the Mayor and City Council to govern the City which includes the powers to adopt laws, establish a City budget and set City taxes and fees, and define policy and City services, and adopt Future Land Use plans and the City Zoning Map and Ordinances.

To see which City Council District you live in, go to the CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT MAP.

Meet your Mayor and City Council

 Mayor David Keener   

In April 2009, David Keener was appointed to the Social Circle City Council by a unanimous 3-0 vote to complete the unexpired term of his late father-in-law, David Terry. He was subsequently elected by the voters in November 2009 and served more than 10 years as Councilman for District 3. In 2019, Keener campaigned successfully and won the position of Mayor, beginning his first term in January 2020.

Keener grew up in Norcross, Georgia. He is 69 years old and is married to Penny who supports him in every endeavor. They are both extensively involved in local community service. David and Penny have lived happily in Social Circle since 1994. A favorite saying of the couple is, “We got here as soon as we could!”

Keener retired as Director from AT&T after 35 years of dedicated service in a leadership role managing more than 300 employees in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. He now owns a successful computer/networking business, Keener Computer Services.

Keener is personally dedicated to local government training and continuing self-improvement. He is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Walton. In June 2019, Keener was honored to receive the prestigious Certificate of Dedication from the Georgia Municipal Training Institute. This is the highest level of municipal training available to elected officials and, at that time, only nine other elected officials in the State of Georgia were awarded with this distinction.

Keener currently serves as President of District 5 for the Board of Directors of the Georgia Municipal Association, Member of the Walton County Municipal Association, Board Member of the Walton County Development Authority, Board Member of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce, and Ex-Officio of Social Circle Main Street.

Keener is an enthusiastic sponsor of city events and financially supports the community of Social Circle. He is personally involved with Local Boards/Authorities and Civic Clubs including the Downtown Development Authority, the Social Circle Development Authority, the Planning & Corridor Commission, the Social Circle Housing Authority, the Tree Board, the Cemetery Committee, the Library Board, Main Street, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing. Previous Civic Group affiliations included the Friends of the Library, Kiwanis, and the Lion's Club.

Keener has a “servant’s heart.” Dedicated, determined and dependable, Keener plans to continue serving his fellow citizens by remaining highly visible and approachable while making a positive impact in his community and ensuring that Social Circle continues to prosper as “Georgia’s Greatest Little Town.”

 Mayor Pro Tem Traysa Price, District 1

Mayor Pro Tempore Traysa Price was elected to the Social Circle City Council District 1 seat 18 years ago. She is honored to serve the City where she was raised and attended school.

Mrs. Price graduated from Social Circle High School in 1986. She attended the University of West Georgia (BBA, Marketing) and Devry University (BS, Network Communications).

Prior to being elected to City Council, Mrs. Price was an active member of the Annie P. Henderson Foundation. The Annie P. Henderson Foundation Board has provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving students who graduate from Social Circle High School and then attend college or technical school.

Mayor Pro Tempore Price works for RENT. as a business implementation analyst. She has been with the company for 14 wonderful years. Mrs. Price has received numerous certifications during her tenure on the Social Circle City Council, to include a Certificate of Recognition, Certificate of Achievement, a Certificate of Excellence and a Certificate from The Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute.

 Mayor Pro Tempore Price is a member of the historic Mars Hill Baptist Church. She is the wife of the late Clarence Price, Jr. and mother to three children: Trayvious, Brett, and Brielle. She is the proud grandmother to Ava (4) and Skylar (1).

Councilman Tyson Jackson, District 2

Councilman Tyson Jackson first took office in 2016. Mr. Jackson has earned the following certificates as a City Council Member: Certificate of Recognition, Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Excellence, and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute Certificate. 

Mr. Jackson was born and raised in Social Circle, attended school here, and continues to live his life as a proud citizen of Social Circle.

Mr. Jackson has a love for cooking and opened a food trailer business, Jackson Family BBQ and Catering, with his sisters and brothers. At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, he volunteered his time and money serving hamburgers and hotdogs to Social Circle’s children and adults.

Mr. Jackson is a member of Knox Chapel Baptist Church where he has participated in numerous outreach programs.

He is married to Donna Jackson, is a parent to his stepson (Justin), and grandparent to grandsons Jaylyn and Mason. Mr. Jackson enjoys spending time with family camping and riding horses at the Family Ranch (E&D).

Councilman Nathan Boyd, District 3

Councilman Nathan Boyd was first appointed to the Social Circle City Council in March 2021. Mr. Boyd was later elected to a full term in November 2021.

He is the Executive and Campus Pastor at Church at the Grove. 

Mr. Boyd grew up in Loganville, Ga., and graduated from Loganville High School in 2003. After graduation he attended Georgia College and State University where he pursued a Business Management degree. Mr. Boyd later earned his Bachelor’s degree from Leavelle College, part of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He attended Liberty University where he earned a Master’s degree in Christian Ministry Leadership.

Mr. Boyd and his wife Katelyn have three children: Samuel (7), Benjamin (5), and Elizabeth (1). The couple have been residents of Social Circle for the past 10 years and during that time have tried to make a positive difference in the community through serving in a number of different areas. Prior to serving on City Council, Mr. Boyd was Chairman of the Main Street Commission. 

Councilman Steve Shelton, District 4

Councilman Steve Shelton was elected in November 2011 and began serving in 2012. Mr. Shelton is based in Social Circle with Great Walton Railroad as a roadmaster, engineer, and conductor.

He grew up inside Social Circle’s city limits and continues to live here as a proud City resident. Mr. Shelton attended Social Circle High School and the Georgia Fire and Police Academies.

Mr. Shelton was one of the first paid full-time firefighters for the City, when the department was formally established in 1984. In 1988, he was named Fire Chief and served in that position until he was named Assistant Public Safety Director in 2005. In 2007, Mr. Shelton became the Public Safety Director and served in that position until he left the department in 2009. During his 20-plus years with the City, he worked alongside the Water, Gas, Sewer, and Street Departments. 

Mr. Shelton and his wife Leigh have been married for close to 16 years. His daughters, Maggie and Tess, along with Maggie’s family, also live in Social Circle. Mr. Shelton’s son, Steven, passed away in 2019. Mr. Shelton’s stepdaughter and her family live in nearby Monroe, Ga. His stepson and his stepson’s family live in Evans, Ga. Mr. Shelton is known as “Pop” to his grandchildren, five boys and one girl.

 City Council District Map

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