As Chief Executive Officer, Mayor Tarpley balances policies and procedures that impact
outcomes. Under her leadership, the City of Hampton has achieved numerous awards and
certifications. Since taking office in 2022, Mayor Tarpley has implemented major advancements
in public safety, community development, economic development, and public works. Being
driven by community Mayor Tarpley came into office Community Focused, Forward Thinking
and History Preserving. She has maintained Hampton as being one of the Top 10 safest cities
to live in. Even when tragedy struck her city she prayed first, pull people together to provide
comfort second and then she encouraged all that we will get through this together. To continue
with being a safe city to live in she has championed a new CRT (Community Response Team)
in the Public Safety Division to promote community policing and improve relationships between
citizens and officers. These officers are often the ones in our schools, at our events, and
sometimes in worship service with us. Mayor Tarpley has continued the Hampton Youth Council
and implemented Summer Youth Employment.

Through community development, Tarpley has poured over three million dollars into public
parks creating gathering space for citizens of all ages to enjoy. Underway is an upgrade to
McBrayer park transforming it into a state-of-the-art park with six pickle ball courts, two new
sustainable basketball courts, turf fields and much more.  The unveiling of East Hampton Park
was planned and is currently on Phase IV to include a small Amphitheater and Art piece as a
part of her Art in Unusual places Initiative. Along with this is the Rosenwald park in the Historic
Rosenwald District area. The city has commissioned several historic renditions of artwork to tell
the story of the students of the Rosenwald school and create an artistic garden space along the
current planned walking trail. Through community development the city trail designs in the
communities are being implemented to create connectivity throughout the city.

Economic Development has been one of Tarpley’s major focus, bringing in a Target Flow center
that employ’s upward of 1200 employees with 30% coming from the City and County. In 2019
while serving as a Council member Mayor Tarpley along with Council member Willie Turner
successfully negotiated the private partnership with the landowners of the Lassiter Group which
landed a $475 million Target Flow Center in the city. This project created over 1200 jobs and
spurred economic growth in that area. Since, Tarpley has successfully landed a partnership
within the Information Technology Storage space; this is the city and county largest investment
to date of $2.5 billion. As a food desert in the county, Tarpley has made it her mission to bring
fresh fruit and vegetables into her city with a major grocery chain. While spurring development
in industries she also has the magic touch on balancing housing needs and instabilities.
Creating workforce homes while keeping and maintaining property value relatively high.

Mayor Tarpley often says, “Growth can never outpace Infrastructure” and she has been true to
her word with over $3 million infrastructure improvements. These improvements have allowed
the City of Hampton to repair and replace major sewer lines and activate corridors that have
been unusable for years. Widening of streets where anticipated growth is expected adding curb
and sidewalks before projects get on the way. “We want our families to live in a place that is
safe to walk without the fear of pedestrians fatalities and therefore we invest in safety first,” says
Tarpley. The dedication to a comprehensive approach to growth and safety fortifies Hampton
future as a thriving, connected, and sustainable community.

Before her election as Mayor, Tarpley served four years on the Hampton City Council as a
board member for the city. As a City Council member, she championed new zoning codes to
facilitate what is currently in place to create a welcoming connected community. As a Council
member, she served on the Community Development committee, Community Service and
Parks and Recreation Committee, and Educational Committee. She partnered with principal
Gore of the Hampton High School to send two students to German as apart of the Hampton
Youth Council Ambassador in Sneakers program.

Mayor Tarpley holds an associate’s degree in business from Shorter University and a bachelor’s
degree in human service from Shorter University, multiple certificates from UGA Carl Vinson
Institute. She is dedicated to civic and community leadership as an Ordained Minister of the
Gospel, serving on Henry County Council on Aging(past), Georgia Housing Leadership
academy, President 3rd District for Georgia Municipal Association Board, Hampton Urban
Redevelopment Agency, Downtown Development Authority(past), Georgia Initiative for
Community Housing, Hampton Mainstreet Advisory Board and awarded Top 100 Women of
Influence (Atlanta Business League). The City of Hampton received the “City of Civility” Award
in 2023 under her leadership, because civility matters.

When there is free time Mayor Tarpley enjoys family and friends, reading an informative book,
dancing, traveling, and supporting our students’ endeavors.