My name is Jarrod Schulte and I am running for Athens City Council District 4 because I believe in progress—not just growth for growth’s sake, but smart, measured growth that respects our values, safeguards our environment, and improves quality of life for everyone, not just a few.

Over the last year I have met some wonderful people and been encouraged to run as representative of the wonderful city I call home. I have lived in East Limestone since 2009 and Athens since 2020. I graduated from Athens State University in 2004 with a degree in History and Political Science. I work for a local company as the site procurement analyst, managing over $20M in inventory and over twelve thousand parts.

My wife Amanda and I have built a beautiful life and family in the heart of the city. Our kids are part of the Athens City school system, and my goal is to work with the school system and bring much needed buses to the high school. With all the new growth brings more challenges that we need to be agile and adaptive to tackle head on. This requires smart and calculated growth. The people of Athens deserve tax benefits reinvested in our community.

I want to focus on measured growth. Measured growth means development that fits our community’s character, that adds value without subtracting livability. I’m not here to promise quick fixes or flashy headlines. I’m here to do the hard, necessary work of balancing economic opportunity with community well-being.

I also want to focus on transparency. Transparency isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a promise. It’s a commitment to openness, accountability, and honest dialogue. It means public decisions are made in public view, and that our government works for you, not around you.

I appreciate everyone’ s support over the last year and all the positive encouragement. It’s been incredibly humbling and an honor to hear from you all. I have yard signs available, please let me know if you would like one! I look forward to seeing you all on the campaign trail this summer!

“Growth is coming. We can’t stop it. But we can shape it—thoughtfully, deliberately, and with a long-term vision.”