Mayor Mary Robichaux, the Roswell City Council, and City leadership recently concluded a productive Leadership Retreat at Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, Georgia, held Tuesday through Thursday, January 20–22. The retreat focused on aligning priorities, strengthening collaboration, and setting a clear, community-centered vision for 2026 and beyond.
“Bringing our elected officials and leadership team together for thoughtful, forward-looking conversations is essential to serving our community well,” said Mayor Mary Robichaux. “This retreat was a valuable opportunity for our newly elected officials to spend meaningful time getting to know the City’s talented and dedicated staff. Those connections help strengthen collaboration and ensure we continue working together effectively for our community.”
Mayoral leadership retreats provide a focused opportunity for elected officials and City staff to step away from daily operations and work together on long-term priorities, organizational alignment, and strategic planning. They also support relationship-building among new and returning leaders to strengthen effective governance and collaboration in service to the community.
The January 20–22 retreat was planned in early fall, prior to the start of the current administration. To remain cost-conscious, the Mayor made adjustments to the retreat’s schedule and duration, resulting in cost savings while preserving its focus on long-term planning and collaboration.
Throughout the retreat, elected officials, the executive team, department directors, and representatives from key partner organizations, including Visit Roswell and Roswell Inc, engaged in open, productive discussions around the City’s strategic goals, operational fundamentals, and the services residents rely on every day. The sessions emphasized transparency, communication, long-term financial planning, and responsible stewardship of City resources, as well as the importance of preparing for both immediate community needs and Roswell’s future growth.
Key areas of discussion included:
- Community Engagement & Communications: Strengthening how the City connects with residents, ensuring feedback reaches all demographics, improving clarity across digital platforms, and expanding tools for transparency and project information.
- Transportation & Infrastructure: Enhancing proactive communication about road projects, maintenance, stormwater planning, and safety initiatives, along with reviewing major capital projects and long-range infrastructure efforts that will shape Roswell’s mobility and development in the years ahead.
- Public Safety: Reviewing priorities for both Police and Fire services, including emergency response readiness, training, grant processes, and long-term facility and station planning.
- Economic & Community Development: Focusing on data-driven decision-making, business support, development timelines, and long-term strategies to support Roswell’s quality of life and economic vitality.
- Financial Planning & Stewardship: Emphasizing clear financial reporting, long-term capital and maintenance planning, cybersecurity, and sustainable funding strategies to support both existing services and future investments.
Next Steps: Leadership Conference Recap on Feb. 13
As a follow-up to the retreat, the City of Roswell has scheduled a Leadership Conference Recap for Friday, February 13, in Room 220 at City Hall, located at 38 Hill Street, Roswell. The session will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed and open to the public.
The City will continue to build on the outcomes of the retreat as departments deliver on their 2026 goals and work together to deliver high-quality services, meaningful engagement, and clear communication for Roswell residents and businesses.
