CorinthHills.org

…Recall…

Georgia State Senator Don Balfour (R-Snellville) chimed in on the Gwinnett County tax increase proposal this week prior to Gwinnett County BoC chairman Bannister’s announcement that he would table the initiative - for now.

Balfour, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, stated, “If they pass this on Tuesday, they will not last to the end of the year. A recall is hard to do. In this case, it would be easy to do,”.

Also brining into question the unusual scheduling of required public hearings, Balfour quizzed, “To have two of the meetings on the day after Memorial Day?” He continued, “They need to do crowd control at the next one. There may be 1,000 people there. Talk about a tea party,”.

One Response To “Senator Don Balfour Drops The “R” Bomb”

1. j.q.public Says:
   May 31st, 2009 at 8:27 AM

   “Congrats to Gwinnett Commission Chair Charles Bannister for tabling the proposal to hike property taxes. Tax increases are not the answer,”
   - John Oxendine (R - Georgia Insurance Commissioner) Via Twitter May 28th

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The public hearings held Tuesday, May 26th at the GJAC were standing room only and very raucous. This has some commissioners rethinking their position. An informal poll regarding the formal vote next Tuesday, June 2nd has produced the following results:

Commission Chairman Charles E. Bannister
(R); 2012
770.822.7010
Charles.Bannister@gwinnettcounty.com
…in favor of the tax increase

District 1 Commissioner: Shirley Lasseter
(R); 2012
770.822.7001
Shirley.Lasseter@gwinnettcounty.com
…was in favor of the tax increase, now undecided

District 2 Commissioner: Bert Nasuti
(R); 2010
770.822.7002
Bert.Nasuti@gwinnettcounty.com
…was in favor of the tax increase, now undecided

District 3 Commissioner: Mike Beaudreau
(R); 2012
770.822.7003
Mike.Beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com
…opposed to the tax increase

District 4 Commissioner: Kevin Kenerly
(R); 2010
770.822.7004
Kevin.Kenerly@gwinnettcounty.com
…was in favor of the tax increase, now undecided

One Response To “Gwinnett BoC Polling On Tax Increase Vote”

1. Admin Says:
   May 28th, 2009 at 8:27 AM

   In December, 2008 the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners spent 3 days and $15,000 in Young Harris, GA discussing the budget crisis.

   Click here to view the original post: http://corinthhills.org/gwinnett/gwinnett-boc-discuss-budget-cuts-at-retreat/

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The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners has scheduled a series of public hearings and information forums on a proposed county property tax increase. The increase will range between 2.87 and 3.31 mills, depending on where in the county a property is located.

Public Hearing schedule
May 26 at 4:30pm and 6:15pm
June 2 at 10:30am

Location: Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

One hour prior to each hearing, staff will conduct public information forums about county financing and county services and will be available to answer questions.

• Click here to view a map and get directions.
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One Response To “Gwinnett BoC Property Tax Increase Hearings”

1. Admin Says:
   May 26th, 2009 at 8:24 AM

   …Some items to consider as you sit in the audience and listen to your representatives tell you how they want more of your money:
   • Gwinnett stadium deal (part 1) $40 million. - Negotiated in complete secrecy. No public hearings, no public input.
   • Gwinnett stadium deal (part 2) $20 million. - Ooops, cost overruns. Didn’t think it through the first go ’round. There was however a public hearing,…. no public input allowed, but it was public. What’s the point?…
   • Two lawsuits pending ($40 million each) regarding the Gwinnett BoC, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and government sanctioned garbage pickup. That’s going to save us all a bundle…
   • Overpayment for land acquisitions with questionable circumstances (see post below)…
   • Has your property’s assessed value been decreased? See post below. The tax increase is directly tied to your property assessment,… millage rate x property assessment = tax bill
   • $15,000 retreat that the BoC spent in Young Harris in December, 2008 to discuss our budget deficit.

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…Just another example of how your elected Gwinnett County representatives spend your money - of which they want even more - because they’ve already spent what you’ve already given them - on bargain purchases like this…

This month county commissioners voted 3-1 to buy a 33-acre tract for $2.3 million - more than twice what the county’s appraisal said it was worth.

The property had been the subject of a lawsuit filed last year after the county denied a request to rezone it for higher-density residential housing. A developer, Majors Management, had wanted to divide the property into 91 lots. It was zoned for 33.

As part of the deal, the suit was dismissed. (Hmmmm…) Court records show the deadline for motions in the case was July 30.

Commissioner Mike Beaudreau, whose district includes the purchased property - and who cast the only dissenting vote calling the purchase, at $69,000 per acre, inexcusable - said the wide range in appraisals should have convinced the commission that further study of the site was required.

Visit the AJC for the complete story…
Gwinnett pays more for land than it’s worth. Site will be used as an adjunct to still-undeveloped park.
By Patrick Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

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The AJC published an article dated Monday, May 25, 2009 entitled, “Tax assessments drop in five major counties”. The article discusses the continuing real estate collapse, the affect on metro Atlanta counties and questions, “Have they gone far enough”.

The following statistics were provided for comparison:

Five major metro Atlanta counties have dropped values for more than 350,000 parcels:
• Clayton: 90,000 parcels, 70,000 parcels lowered (78%)
• DeKalb: 235,000 parcels, 95,000 parcels lowered (40%)
• Fulton: 335,000 parcels, 100,000 parcels lowered (30%)
• Gwinnett: 273,000 parcels, 70,000 parcels lowered (26%)
• Cobb: 246,000 parcels, 20,000 parcels lowered (8%)

Visit the AJC for the complete story…
Tax assessments drop in five major counties
By D.L. BENNETT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, May 25, 2009

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The purpose of this post is to highlight the voting record of your commissioner, Mike Beaudreau as it applies to recent rezoning applications for garbage transfer stations. Even though none of these proposed transfer stations are in our immediate community, it is important to understand how your elected commissioner conducts himself in the face of what is probably intense political pressure coming from within the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners.

The crux of the matter is the appropriate location for a waste transfer station. How Gwinnett County planners and waste professionals recommend one location and how the BoC subsequently rejects these recommendations - by vote - and substitute their own.

It’s about how the BoC’s ultimate decision for location is influenced by political contributions paid to them by the developers who own the land… and the lack of public disclosure of these contributions.

The following articles do a very good job of explaining the situation and are highly recommended reads:
• Gwinnett commissioners under fire over trash stations
By Tim Eberly
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday, May 23, 2009

• Laws for disclosure in debate - Applicants not revealing campaign contributions
By Jamie Ward
Gwinnett Daily Post
Sunday, May 3, 2009

• Some skirt spirit of full disclosure
Editorial
Gwinnett Daily Post
Sunday, May 3, 2009

• Click here to email this article to a friend…

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• Click here for updates as of June 10, 2009…

Gwinnett County continues to be designated as a Level Four state drought response county.

Watering schedule as of May, 2009

For Drip Irrigation or Soaker Hose
Each household, business or other institution/property owner may use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to water existing landscaping. Watering is allowed for 1 hour per day for 3 days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00am on an odd-even address system (even addresses end in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or no house number and odd addresses end in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9). The following schedule applies to existing landscape areas to include trees, flowers, vines and shrubs (this does not include turf grass):

Gwinnett County Outdoor Watering Schedule (Drip Irrigation/Soaker Hose):
Monday - Even - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Tuesday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Wednesday - Even - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Thursday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Friday - No watering allowed at all
Saturday - Even - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Sunday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 1 hour

For Hand Held Garden Hoses
Each household, business or other institution/property owner will be allowed to use one hand held garden hose (equipped with standard spray nozzle and automatic release shut-off). Watering is allowed for 25 minutes a day during the designated hours indicated below on an odd-even address system (even addresses end in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or no house number and odd addresses end in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9). The following schedule applies to existing landscapes as well as small, newly installed landscape areas (i.e., flowerbeds, containers,etc.).

Gwinnett County Outdoor Watering Schedule (Hand Held Hose):
Monday - Even - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Tuesday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Wednesday - Even - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Thursday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Friday - No watering allowed at all
Saturday - Even - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Sunday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes

Exemptions From Outdoor Watering Restrictions
According to the state Outdoor Water Use Rules (Chapter 391-3-30.05 Exemptions). The following are exempt from current Level 4 Drought Restrictions:
a. Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with
applicable local ordinances.
b. Reuse of gray water in compliance with applicable local ordinances.
c. Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to
provide reclaimed wastewater.
d. Irrigation of personal food gardens.
e. Water use, circulation and aeration for ponds or fountains, which maintain aquatic life.
f. Water may be used to wash hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks
driveways, school buses, fire trucks, emergency vehicles and police cars ONLY when
necessary for public health and safety.
g. Water may be used to water-in pesticides and herbicides.
h. Landscape professionals who hold a valid business license may use water to hydro-seed a lawn.
i. Landscape and irrigation contractors who hold a valid business license may use water
during installation of irrigation equipment and as needed for proper maintenance and adjustments only.
j. Sod producers, food and fiber producers, ornamental growers, fruit and vegetable growers,
nurseries and retail garden centers may water their stock.
k. Powerwashing contractors who hold a valid business license may use water to run
their powerwashing equipment for customers.
l. Water may be used on construction sites.
m. Water may be used for commercial car wash operations.
n. Water may be used for other activities essential to daily business (This exemption refers to activities that are part of a primary operation of a business. For example, a window washing business or a mobile car wash business is included in this category.

Authorized Uses
Drip Irrigation (trees, flowers, vines and shrubs; this does not include turf grass). The use of an irrigation system manufactured and sold specifically for delivering water through small flexible pipes and emitters slowly and directly to the soil around the base of individual plants in a manner that minimizes evaporative losses, pooling, runoff and wetting of plant foliage. This type of system may be a part of a larger automated irrigation system or may operate as a standalone system connected to a typical outdoor faucet. See watering schedule above for drip irrigation.

Soaker Hose (trees, flowers, vines and shrubs; this does not include turf grass). A hose that is connected to a typical outdoor faucet and that is manufactured and sold specifically for delivering water slowly and directly to the soil around the base of individual plants by allowing water to seep from it in a manner that minimizes evaporative losses, pooling, runoff and wetting of plant foliage. See watering schedule above for soaker hose.

Filling Swimming Pools. Each household, business or other institution/property owner may fill swimming pools without day or time restrictions.

Hand-watering (plants, seed and turf). Hand-watering is defined as one person with one hose. See Watering Schedule above.

Irrigating Newly Installed Landscapes. In order to qualify for a new landscape exemption, customers must complete the State of Georgia’s Outdoor Water Use Registration Program (the program consists of a presentation and test). A representative from the property must complete the program and pass the quiz for businesses and homeowner associations. A property owner must complete the program and pass the test for an individual home. The program is available online at www.outdoorwateruse.com and at the Gwinnett County Extension Services office. There is a convenience fee of $4.95 to complete the online program. However, the program is available at no charge at the Gwinnett County Extension Office located at the following:

757 South Perry Street
Annex Building 4th Floor
Lawrenceville, GA 30045

For additional information or to report a violation call Gwinnett County at 678-376-7100, or send an e-mail to: dwrwaterbanquestions@gwinnettcounty.com.

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The following sign was found posted at the intersection of Pounds Road and Five Forks Trickum Road on Thursday, May 21, 2009.

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Sheriff Butch Conway and Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter discuss the 287(g) program and how it is used to combat criminal illegal aliens.

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The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners has scheduled a series of public hearings and information forums on a proposed county property tax increase. The increase will range between 2.87 and 3.31 mills, depending on where in the county a property is located.

Public Hearing schedule
Tuesday, May 26 at 4:30pm and 6:15pm
Tuesday, June 2 at 10:30am

Location: Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

One hour prior to each hearing, staff will conduct public information forums about county financing and county services and will be available to answer questions.

The commission’s consideration of the tax increase follows its adoption earlier this year of a $1.7 billion 2009 budget that reflected needed increased staffing in the county’s police, fire and emergency services departments, efficiency in government service and long-term financial stability. Over the past 12 years, the Board of Commissioners has rolled back property taxes by a total of 3.98 mills. The rollback was possible in part because the county’s rapid growth generated sufficient tax revenues to cover the cost of expanding service needs. In recent years, however, the county’s growth rate has begun to slow.

The proposed increase will not only maintain basic services levels, it will provide needed increases in police, fire protection and EMS services, with 372 police officers through 2012 and five new fire stations with 246 emergency services staff through 2013. The increase will also enhance a model economic development program that will help increase local property values and sustain a nationally-recognized parks and recreation system and expand it by nine new parks over the next five years.

They have also initiated a “public information” campaign entitled “Is $2.50 a Day Worth It?” whereby they comparison shop other consumer items that can be purchased for approximately $2.50.
• Click here to view Gwinnett County’s “Is $2.50 a Day Worth It?” flyer… (PDF document)
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One Response To “Gwinnett BoC Public Hearings On Millage Increase”

1. Admin Says:
   May 22nd, 2009 at 9:31 AM

   The “Is $2.50 a Day Worth It?” campaign is not a fair comparison. Here’s a sampling of the items they offer for comparison:
   • Bag of Snyder’s® pretzels ($2.50)
   • Gallon of milk from Kroger ($2.37 including tax)
   • Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich ($2.69)
   • One scoop of Bruster’s® Real Ice Cream® ($2.75)
   • Band-Aid® bandages ($2.82)
   • Walgreens aluminum foil ($2.49)
   …these are not items that one would generally consider to be daily purchases. If the program is going to be entitled “Is $2.50 a Day Worth It?”, stick with comparison items that are generally purchased everyday. The only item they offer for comparison that might fall into this category is:
   • Starbucks tall café latte ($2.80)
   …and no, it’s not worth it…

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By Camie Young
Senior Writer
Gwinnett Daily Post

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

LAWRENCEVILLE - An Olympic venue will become a county park.

Commissioners agreed Tuesday to operate the Stone Mountain Tennis Center, though the center’s 8,000-seat stadium will be demolished before the county takes over the location.

“That’s the gateway to our county along (U.S. Highway) 78,” Commissioner Mike Beaudreau said. “It’s a really good thing.”

For a decade after the Olympics, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association attempted to bring success to the center, but after a $1.5 million loss on a tournament in 1997 and annual losses of $200,000, it was padlocked two years ago.

Recently, officials attempted to market the stadium as a potential concert venue, but Curtis Branscome, CEO of the association, said there were no takers.

“We just couldn’t make it work, so we wanted to get some use out of it,” Branscome said. “I would rather it be successful and useful and functional.”

Built for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the stadium had water leakage problems and had a high cost to maintain, Branscome said.

The 15 tennis courts, though, are in good shape, and Branscome said the county parks department, which has experience in running tennis facilities, will be better suited to managing the center.

Commissioners engaged in a 50-year lease with the association, at a cost of $1 a year. Branscome said the 24.5 acres must remain a recreational venue, but the association has approval rights for any further development of a park.

Phil Hoskins, director of Gwinnett’s community services department, said the county will take over the tennis center on Jan. 1, but it would likely open to the public in mid-2010.

History:
• Stone Mountain Tennis Center Improvements Cut - CorinthHills.org March, 2009
• RaiseTheRoofGwinnett.com - CorinthHills.org December, 2007
• Stone Mountain Tennis Center - Wikipedia

• Click here to view a map and explore this area…
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3 Responses To “Gwinnett Acquires Stone Mountain Tennis Center”

1. circlek71 Says:
   May 20th, 2009 at 9:29 AM

   I wish they could make the tennis center an amphitheater like in Suwannee with a nice park surrounding it. I am just not sure how much space is around the center.

2. Admin Says:
   May 21st, 2009 at 8:33 AM

   I meant to include this in the history segment:

   ATLANTA — (SportsWire) — June 9, 1999

   The NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons have signed a letter of intent to pursue moving the team’s headquarters and training facilities from Suwanee, Georgia, to Stone Mountain Park in suburban Atlanta. The agreement was made between the Falcons and Silver Dollar City, Inc., and includes responsibilities from Knoxville-based developer Partners & Associates, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association, and DeKalb County. The facility would open for the 2000 season.

   The move would make the Falcons the first professional sports team to house its offices and practice facilities at a major attraction. Stone Mountain Park attracts four million visitors annually, making it Atlanta’s (and Georgia’s) most popular attraction. The Park is owned by the State of Georgia and operated by Silver Dollar City, Inc., through a long term lease with the Stone Mountain Memorial Association. The commitment to the Falcons is part of an effort to upgrade the attractions within the park and build attendance to six million.

   “We believe a move to Stone Mountain Park could provide Atlanta with the showcase facility in the NFL,” Falcons president Taylor Smith said. “Having a setting that already attracts four million people gives us some unique marketing opportunities. Also, to be located in a natural setting at the base of one of the world’s natural wonders provides a very dramatic setting for our home.”

   The initial plan is for a 70,000 square-foot building that will include the Falcons offices as well as locker rooms and workout facilities. The site will also include three outdoor fields and one domed practice area. A Falcons/NFL museum and other Falcons related attractions are also being considered as a part of the sports complex.

   Under the terms of a proposed contract, the team would lease a 30-acre tract of land that was formerly part of the old Stone Mountain Airport, which has been closed since 1996. The site is between West Park Place and Bermuda Road, near the Olympic Tennis Center, and within the boundaries of the Stone Mountain Park.

   The letter of intent provides for a period of time for the developer to meet a selection of objectives, including successfully marketing sponsorships and naming rights. Says John Russell, vice president & project manager of Partners & Associates,” The combination of the Atlanta Falcons and Stone Mountain creates unique and unusual marketing opportunities that can be leveraged to benefit promotionally oriented businesses. Sponsorship contracts will, in turn help to finance the construction of the facility.”

   Silver Dollar City, Inc. won the long-term lease of Stone Mountain Park in a State conducted competitive bid process completed in 1997. In addition to significant capital improvements to the property that have already been completed since the acquisition of the lease, Silver Dollar City officials estimate that an additional $50,000,000 to $75,000,000 will be invested at the property by their company over the next three to five years. “We are obviously very committed to this property,” says Ned Stancliff, Senior Vice President of Silver Dollar City. “We believe that Stone Mountain has the potential to be a national caliber destination attraction, and our association with Falcons can help us to achieve that goal.”

   Silver Dollar City’s landlord agrees. “We are excited about the partnership between Silver Dollar City and the Falcons” says Curtis Branscome, chief executive officer of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association. “It is one that can be good, not only for SDC and the Park, but also for the Stone Mountain community, DeKalb County and the City of Atlanta.”

   In addition to SDC and SMMA, DeKalb County was instrumental in the negotiations resulting in the Letter of Intent.

   “I am delighted that the Falcons are considering DeKalb County as the home for its new training facility,” said DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Liane Levetan. “We would welcome the Falcons as part of our DeKalb family. Their presence at Stone Mountain Park will certainly add to this outstanding, world-class park and its current attractions.”

   The arrangement was actively endorsed by the Atlanta Sports Council, the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb County Development Board, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

3. bwilson Says:
   May 22nd, 2009 at 5:17 AM

   I don’t understand Beaudreau. He appears to be the only decent one of the bunch, but I still don’t know if I’ll vote for him again. He claims that he struggled with his decision to vote for the stadium project. I want a commissioner that goes with his gut. Mr. Beaudreau, how much is this tennis center project going to cost us? Demolition, maintenance? Beaudreau recently fought the BoC on another greenspace purchase and was the only opposing vote. He seems to be all over the place.

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By Camie Young
Senior Writer
Gwinnett Daily Post

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

LAWRENCEVILLE - Gwinnett officials want to take their police services countywide, and they are considering raising taxes to do it.

Officials Monday announced a proposed property tax formula that would represent an average increase of 25 percent for homeowners - $180 to $208 for a $200,000 house.

The June 2 vote could defy a tradition of rolling back property taxes for the past 12 years. But officials say the county’s slowed growth and an increasing need for services have caused a need for more money.

“We are undergoing a natural and unavoidable transition from high growth to maturity, and that change holds implications both for services we provide and the way we pay for them,” County Administrator Jock Connell said. “I should add that the current economic situation compounds our challenges but it is not a primary cause.”

County taxes in past years have been divided mostly to the general fund, with a small portion going into a countywide recreation fund and a fund to pay back bonds.

This year, though, officials have created service districts, allotting specific funds for police, emergency medical and fire services.

With their eyes on enforcing police protection in municipalities as well as unincorporated county jurisdiction, officials said the increase will pay for 372 more police officers and 246 new emergency services personnel.

While the county has been locked in a legal battle with city officials hoping to get a break in county taxes for their residents, the new formula would actually mean city residents pay a higher premium for county services.

Deputy County Administrator Mike Comer said revenue sources such as occupation, alcohol and insurance premium taxes only apply to county residents, so county residents deserve a smaller share of the property tax burden to make service financing equitable.

“It’s very difficult for me to comment on the structure of the arrangement,” said Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams, who has led the service delivery negotiations for the cities. “I can’t get my head around what they mean by countywide policing.”

Because the city of Loganville has its own fire department, residents there would pay the EMS and police funds but not the 0.28-mill fire charge.

All other city residents would pay a combined 5.77 mills to the three funds, while county residents would pay 5.33 mills for the services. That is in addition to the 7.05 general fund charge, 0.46 mills for the bond repayment and 1 mill for the recreation fund - an increase from the previous 0.79 mills.

In all, residents in unincorporated Gwinnett would pay an additional 2.87 mills, compared to 2008, while residents in 14 cities would be charged 3.31 mills more and Loganville residents 3.03 mills.

Nine Gwinnett cities have their own police departments, which became a major issue in negotiations for the county’s service delivery strategy and has wound up in court. City officials said their residents should pay a lower county tax because county officials don’t provide police services there, but county officials countered that they do provide some protection, backing off from traffic enforcement and other matters as a courtesy.

“That’s a big question mark in my mind. Our response rate is significantly (better) than the county’s. Why do they want to hire hundreds of officers to provide police in cities that are safer and provide better response times?” Williams said. “The current police service arrangement works well.”

But Chairman Charles Bannister said the county should take countywide jurisdiction in public safety, and county residents would actually get the break because they pay other taxes, such as occupation taxes, to fund the budget.

“We are planning for the future and eliminating some of the criminal elements out of here,” Bannister said. “I think we deserve to give (residents) the best possible police, public safety protection we can moving forward. We can’t, with the revenue we have currently.”

Officials cut about $33 million from the county budget this year and are continuing to work on cost-saving operations, including a “scrubbing” of take-home vehicles. But to create the boost in public safety, and balance the $1.7 billion 2009 budget - which came in $20 million in the red - leaders still needed about $75 million in additional revenue, Finance Director Aaron Bovos said.

Compounding the situation, the county’s tax digest dipped because of the current economic and housing climate. Residential property in Gwinnett dropped about $1.25 billion in fair market value.

Bannister said the issue isn’t about past decisions, including the recently constructed $64 million Gwinnett Braves stadium, but is instead about the county’s future.

Public hearings for the proposed tax increase will be held at 4:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Monday and 10:30 a.m. June 2 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. Public information forums will begin one hour before each hearing. County commissioners will consider the proposal following the hearing on June 2.

By Patrick Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

For the first time in six years, Gwinnett County residents face a higher tax rate on property, and city residents will be hit hardest.

County officials announced Monday that residents who own a $200,000 home can, on average, expect to pay about $180 to $208 more in county property taxes this year. The increase comes in the wake of a weakened economy and an anticipated $1.6 billion decline in residential property values.

The current millage rate of 10.97 mills will go up by 25 percent - or about 2.87 mills - for residents of unincorporated Gwinnett. Most city residents will be taxed at an additional 3.31 mills.

The county commission will vote to set the rates at its June 2 meeting.

The rate increase comes amid negotiations between the county and its cities to provide equity in services the county provides to municipal residents.

While no agreement has been reached, Monday’s announcement provided the stage for a new initiative in the county’s emergency services. From now on, Gwinnett County will provide police services to all areas of the county, County Administrator Jock Connell said.

City residents will be taxed based on a new rate structure to help segregate funding for municipal and unincorporated emergency services.

The difference in property tax rates, Connell said, is to adjust the cost for services equitably to those who receive them. He said city residents do not pay certain taxes - such as alcohol beverage and occupational - to the county but to their local governments. Because unincorporated residents pay these taxes to the county, it defrays the revenue needed from property owners.

“The county should operate county-wide police protection. The law says so. We say so,” County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister said.

Nine of Gwinnett’s 15 municipalities have their own police forces. Several others contract with the county for special patrols.

Connell said the county’s $1.7 billion budget lays the groundwork for an additional 618 public safety workers over the next five years. Of that number, 372 will be police.

Connell said the 2009 budget represents $33 million in cuts and the elimination of about 120 positions. He said efforts are continuing to make cuts.

The last county tax rate increase was in 2003.

Bannister said the chief motivation behind the expansion in police coverage is public safety, and he’s willing to take responsibility.

“We [the county] get all the credit for the crime and the drug cartels,” he said.

Three information forums and public hearings on the tax rate will be at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. Dates and times are: 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. May 26; and 9:30 a.m. June 2.

2 Responses To “Gwinnett County Proposes 25% Property Tax Hike”

1. j.q.public Says:
   May 21st, 2009 at 7:47 AM

   Somebody please explain to me how the plan for Gwinnett police to patrol county cities that have their own police department is good for Gwinnett as a whole?

   The Gwinnett County Sheriff is opposed to it. I’ve not heard of one person or group for it except the BoC.

   This smacks of more backroom good ol’ payoffs.

   Why should my money go to provide double police coverage for a select few?

2. fwy545 Says:
   May 21st, 2009 at 9:33 AM

   What I’m unsure of is the statement by the chairman that states, “The county should operate county-wide police protection. The law says so. We say so.”

   Does this mean that Gwinnett County has been in violation of the law all this time? Are there repercussions for this?

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There was an armed robbery at the Walmart on Rockbridge Road. It happened at 2140 hrs (9:40 PM) on 05/11/09. Three suspects entered the Walmart and approached the service desk. They asked a clerk if they sold lottery tickets. Before the clerk could answer, they pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. One suspect ran behind the counter and grabbed a bag of money. All three suspects fled on foot. Nobody was injured.

Thanks to:
Major M. C. Bayreuther - GCPD South Precinct Commander
Officer A. J. Morales #819
and Noel Bennett for the heads-up…

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A $60 million medical campus being mapped out for Stone Mountain could include a first in the Southeast - a freestanding, acute care hospital focused entirely on emergency medicine.

Plans for the campus call for a 50,000-square-foot hospital, an assisted-living center and three medical office buildings that would house specialty practices, including gastroenterology, neurology and cardiology.

The hospital, a joint venture between Stone Mountain Hospital Inc. and Arizona-based Gilbert Hospital, would help address the emergency room crisis in Georgia by trimming wait-times and alleviating ER overcrowding, CEO Larry Gold said.

As the uninsured population surges, patients often use hospital emergency rooms as their primary care provider. That’s because, hospitals, by law, must stabilize patients in the ER, regardless of their ability to pay. Swamped with many non-emergency cases, ERs are overcrowded, leading to long patient wait-times.

Stone Mountain ER will be focused on delivering emergency care to local residents in a consistent and acceptable wait time, often under 30 minutes but never more than 30 minutes after arrival. Another main focus will be solving healthcare dilemmas and working out adminstrative post care details. Also planned are general care services designed to meet payment obligations and budgets.

Highlights of planned services:
• Emergency Physicians on site 24/7
• Short waiting times to see a doctor
• Complete Imaging Center for onsite diagnostic support
• Completely equipped Surgery Center and a suite of surgeons on call.
• Post trauma beds on site and trasfer agreements to nearby general hospitals with ambulance or air ambulance support on site.

The facility is to be located on a 31-acre parcel just east of the Yellow River. Another local consideration is that Gwinnett County owns the land north and south of the proposed hospital site. This could mean a potential 90-acre mixed-use development being built around the hospital campus someday that would amount to millions of dollars in investment.

Estimated opening is mid to late 2010.

• Stone Mountain Hospital, Inc.
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At the monthly city council meeting Mayor Diana Preston proposed a $6.1 million dollar budget for 2009-2010. The proposed budget is $500,000 less than last year’s and contains no provisions for millage rate increases, no staff furloughs or layoffs. More details will be forthcoming.

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