RINCON, Ga. — A planned reduction of the speed limit along State Route 21 through Rincon will not move forward, leaving the corridor at 45 mph, Mayor Kevin Exley said during his April 22 State of the City address.
The decision reverses an earlier plan to lower the speed limit to 35 mph from city limit to city limit — from near Chimney Road north past the YMCA — by early 2026. The proposal followed a traffic study and had received initial approval from the Georgia Department of Transportation, but Exley said the state ultimately did not move forward.
The announcement came during the city’s third State of the City address, attended by about 100 residents, city employees, community leaders and elected officials at the Herald Center.
The speed limit update was one of several themes in Exley’s 90-minute address, which also focused on public safety, wastewater expansion, parks and recreation, the city golf course and planning and zoning, along with updates from other city departments.
“Public safety remains the foundation of any successful and growing community,” Exley said.
He underscored that point with a key ranking while praising Police Chief Jonathon Murrell.
“Rincon is the eighth safest city in Georgia,” he said. “Let me say again — Rincon is the eighth safest city in Georgia.”
Exley also addressed perceptions about traffic enforcement, highlighting a focus on warnings rather than citations.
Traffic enforcement totals:
• 19,160 traffic stops
• 1,625 warnings issued
• 335 citations issued
“That’s a stat I want people to hear,” Exley said. “If you got a ticket here, you probably deserved it.”
He said the numbers reflect a policing strategy built on visibility and prevention.
“Our officers are out there every day working to stop problems before they start,” he said.
As growth continues, traffic safety remains a priority — particularly along the State Route 21 corridor.
“We are adding additional resources to deal with Highway 21 traffic issues, including moving trucks over three axles to the right lane only,” Exley said.
2025 public safety snapshot:
• 12,910 calls for service
• 19,224 proactive police actions
• 401 crash investigations, with 77 reported injuries
• 261 arrests
Investigations and technology:
• 170 cases investigated by the Criminal Investigations Division, with a clearance rate above 90%
• Body cameras and in-car video fully deployed (more than 13,000 recordings in six months)
• Integration of Flock camera systems
• Expansion of drone program
Wastewater expansion underway
Beyond public safety, Exley highlighted a major infrastructure investment aimed at preparing Rincon for continued expansion.
The city’s wastewater treatment system, led by Director Tommy Kee, is in the midst of a $15 million expansion designed to increase capacity and improve long-term reliability. The upgrade will increase capacity from 1 million to 1.4 million gallons per day.
“We got $15 million to do an upgrade on that plant through a grant process,” Exley said. “Right now, we’re permitted at about 1 million gallons per day. This upgrade is going to give us about another 450,000 gallons per day.”
Project upgrades include:
• SCADA control systems for improved monitoring and automation
• Aeration and biological treatment systems
• Pump stations and sludge processing equipment
• UV disinfection systems to maintain environmental compliance and safety
Exley said the improvements are intended to meet current demand while supporting future expansion.
Parks and recreation expansion continues
Exley also highlighted growth in the city’s Recreation Department, led by Director Deron Wilson, pointing to rising participation, new programming and ongoing facility improvements.
Sports programming increased 10% to 20% across all offerings.
Competitive highlights included a 10U football championship and a second-place finish in 10U girls basketball. The city also supported 25 to 30 travel teams weekly through field rentals and hosted 27 tournaments, bringing steady activity and regional visibility.
New programming included 7-on-7 football teams and a spring football camp, along with expanded senior offerings such as a senior art class added to existing bingo programming.
Facility upgrades included improvements at Macomber Park, a repainted pavilion and a new football field at Giles Park, and lightning detection systems installed at Patriots, Giles and Macomber parks to improve safety.
Looking ahead, Exley outlined priorities including expanded in-house leagues, girls flag football, increased tournament capacity to 35 to 40 events annually, and expanded youth and senior programming.
“We hosted 27 tournaments,” Exley said. “One of the most recent was a tournament out of South Carolina with 34 teams. When you think about that many teams, players, coaches and families, you’re talking about a significant number of people coming into the city for the weekend. They’re staying here, eating at local restaurants, buying gas and shopping. Those are the kinds of events we want to continue to attract and grow in Rincon.”
Exley said the investments reflect an effort to expand recreational opportunities and keep pace with growth.
City Club Golf Course sees growth
Exley also highlighted continued growth at the City Club Golf Course, led by Manager Tara Childress and Golf Superintendent Blaine Ketchum, calling it a strengthening asset for recreation and revenue.
The course saw strong gains in 2025:
- Average daily rounds increased from 51 to 83
- Total rounds rose from 5,258 to 8,577
Revenue also increased across key categories:
- Cart and greens fees rose from $78,815.28 to $192,471.16
- Membership revenue increased from $77,323.52 to $119,351
- Range fees rose from $14,331.25 to $20,584.88
Planning and development activity remains steady
Exley also highlighted the work of the Planning and Development Department, led by Director Teri Lewis, noting its role in guiding structured, long-term growth.
In 2025, the department issued:
• 250 building permits
• 746 business licenses
• Review of site plans, subdivisions, rezonings and annexations
• More than $1.08 million in revenue generated
Ongoing work includes a 25-year master plan, updates to development standards, and continued refinement of the Unified Development Ordinance.
Planning efforts are also focused on annexation strategy and identifying future growth corridors.
Exley said the goal is organized, sustainable growth aligned with long-term community priorities.
Growth by design, not chance
“Over the past year, Rincon has continued to experience steady and intentional growth,” Exley said. “That growth is not accidental. It is the result of careful planning, disciplined financial management, and the daily work of dedicated employees across every department. From public safety to infrastructure, from recreation to planning, each area of our city plays a critical role in shaping the quality of life we all experience.”
