Hmm??, so the Gwinnett County budget needs to be cut. Every other pool at a community park in Gwinnett has to give up a day.
But Dacula's pool is to be closed permanently.
What do you think?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Mayor Announces for Re-election
I wanted to take this opportunity to announce that I am running for reelection. Every day, for the past eight years, I have been honored to serve as your mayor and humbled at the opportunity. I appreciate your trust and support.
The person you elect as mayor on November 3, 2009 will have major impacts on critical issues—issues that affect your daily quality of life. We are in an economic cycle that most of our residents have never seen before. The City faces economic uncertainty, and we, as individuals, are hurting—some without jobs or health insurance, others with foreclosed homes. While the economic downturn we are facing will certainly recover, we have no clear idea how long this will take nor what decisive measures will be needed for the city.
How can a voter or supporter of Dacula determine the leadership style needed in this crucial time? I can think of only one criterion with which to make this judgment: the record and experience of the leader.
Please consider the improvements to quality of life issues, safety improvements, community development and economic development made during my tenure as mayor. Best of all recognize that the City is financially sound because of prudent policies on budgeting and taxation. Take note of the fact that the property tax millage rate has stayed the same or been reduced in each of those eight years.
Naturally, the mayor cannot do these things alone! Our dedicated staff and the City Council deserve praise for our continuing development and municipal improvement. While not everything has gone completely according to our Dacula vision, it is the job of the mayor to help create the vision and make sure it stays on track.
I ask you to help me continue our vision—a vision of a place we call home—a safe, family-friendly and progressive city. Please use your influence, cast your vote and support Jimmy Wilbanks for Mayor on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall.
The person you elect as mayor on November 3, 2009 will have major impacts on critical issues—issues that affect your daily quality of life. We are in an economic cycle that most of our residents have never seen before. The City faces economic uncertainty, and we, as individuals, are hurting—some without jobs or health insurance, others with foreclosed homes. While the economic downturn we are facing will certainly recover, we have no clear idea how long this will take nor what decisive measures will be needed for the city.
How can a voter or supporter of Dacula determine the leadership style needed in this crucial time? I can think of only one criterion with which to make this judgment: the record and experience of the leader.
Please consider the improvements to quality of life issues, safety improvements, community development and economic development made during my tenure as mayor. Best of all recognize that the City is financially sound because of prudent policies on budgeting and taxation. Take note of the fact that the property tax millage rate has stayed the same or been reduced in each of those eight years.
Naturally, the mayor cannot do these things alone! Our dedicated staff and the City Council deserve praise for our continuing development and municipal improvement. While not everything has gone completely according to our Dacula vision, it is the job of the mayor to help create the vision and make sure it stays on track.
I ask you to help me continue our vision—a vision of a place we call home—a safe, family-friendly and progressive city. Please use your influence, cast your vote and support Jimmy Wilbanks for Mayor on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Service Delivery Strategy Deadlock
Gwinnett County and the Cities of Gwinnett did not reach SDS agreement on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. This was the last day of court ordered mediation. The next step is in the hands of a judge.
Whatever the outcome of the legal battle, be aware that your mayors and city councils fought for fair and equitable taxation for Gwinnett taxpayers who live within our corporate boundaries. This legal battle will put not one cent in the coffers of the cities, but if a fair and equitable method of taxation can be ordered by the judge, it will mean dollars in your taxpayer pockets.
Look for Gwinnett County to go forward with setting the tax millage rate in the near future since it is coming down to the deadline for doing so. Be vigilant as to the amount of any such levy.
Whatever the outcome of the legal battle, be aware that your mayors and city councils fought for fair and equitable taxation for Gwinnett taxpayers who live within our corporate boundaries. This legal battle will put not one cent in the coffers of the cities, but if a fair and equitable method of taxation can be ordered by the judge, it will mean dollars in your taxpayer pockets.
Look for Gwinnett County to go forward with setting the tax millage rate in the near future since it is coming down to the deadline for doing so. Be vigilant as to the amount of any such levy.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Service Delivery News
After another day of wrangling with Gwinnett County, I thought to give you a general update. Gwinnett County has finally decided to put their Service Delivery Strategy on paper. The main items you should understand are listed below:
Generally, the County wants to split the county into three service districts. One would be all of unincorporated Gwinnett County. Another service district would be made up of six cities to which the county provides uniform patrol services. These cities include Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Grayson, Rest Haven, and Sugar Hill. The remaining service district would be the nine cities who currently have their own police departments.
Additionally, the County wants to have three different millage rates, one for each service district. These millage rates will not be the same in 2009, and certainly not in the nine out years of the agreement.
What does this mean for you. As a general rule, where you live will determine how much your tax millage rate is. Your tax assessment multiplied by you millage rate will determine how much total money you will pay the county.
Let's take a moment to study the effect of these districts on your tax bill. It looks like there may be a differential of about 2 mills between the unincorporated district and the district that Dacula may be in. For our tax digest, this means about $80,000 more per year than a similar portion of the unincorporated district. Over a ten year period, this means that Gwinnett County will take $800,000 more dollars from you than from your neighbors who lives across the street in the unincorporated district.
You need to understand that these are your dollars, and that the Cities of Gwinnett County are fighting for your dollars. If we are successful in battling off this proposal, perhaps even going to court, this money will be in your pocket. None of it will go into city coffers. It will be in your pocket, for you to spend as you see fit.
While none of this is rocket science, you need to ask youself, "Does it cost Gwinnett County more money to provide services to me in incorporated Dacula than it does to provide services to my neighbor across the street in unincorported Gwinnett County?" If you believe the answer to that question is "no", you should be talking to your County Commissioner. Otherwise, you will find that your taxes will be going up unreasonably in 2009 and beyond.
Generally, the County wants to split the county into three service districts. One would be all of unincorporated Gwinnett County. Another service district would be made up of six cities to which the county provides uniform patrol services. These cities include Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Grayson, Rest Haven, and Sugar Hill. The remaining service district would be the nine cities who currently have their own police departments.
Additionally, the County wants to have three different millage rates, one for each service district. These millage rates will not be the same in 2009, and certainly not in the nine out years of the agreement.
What does this mean for you. As a general rule, where you live will determine how much your tax millage rate is. Your tax assessment multiplied by you millage rate will determine how much total money you will pay the county.
Let's take a moment to study the effect of these districts on your tax bill. It looks like there may be a differential of about 2 mills between the unincorporated district and the district that Dacula may be in. For our tax digest, this means about $80,000 more per year than a similar portion of the unincorporated district. Over a ten year period, this means that Gwinnett County will take $800,000 more dollars from you than from your neighbors who lives across the street in the unincorporated district.
You need to understand that these are your dollars, and that the Cities of Gwinnett County are fighting for your dollars. If we are successful in battling off this proposal, perhaps even going to court, this money will be in your pocket. None of it will go into city coffers. It will be in your pocket, for you to spend as you see fit.
While none of this is rocket science, you need to ask youself, "Does it cost Gwinnett County more money to provide services to me in incorporated Dacula than it does to provide services to my neighbor across the street in unincorported Gwinnett County?" If you believe the answer to that question is "no", you should be talking to your County Commissioner. Otherwise, you will find that your taxes will be going up unreasonably in 2009 and beyond.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tax Millage Rate Hearing Tuesday, 5/25/2009
I went to the information forum and public hearing on the proposed property tax millage rate increases yesterday. If you haven't heard, Gwinnett Board of Commissioners plan to raise your property tax rate by 25 to 30% depending on where you live.
Many people were in attendance, not at the publicized auditorium, at the hallway in GJAC. There were several hundred for the public hearing, but only about 15 got to speak in the uncomfortable atmosphere. All but one of the speakers were opposed to the millage increase, and it appeared that the vast majority of those in attendance were opposed.
Where to now? There is an additional forum and public hearing on June 2 at 9:30AM and 10:30AM respectively. After these meetings are concluded, I expect the Commissioners to vote (4-1) in favor of increasing your taxes by 30%. That means if your county portion (not the school board or city taxes) of your last bill was $1000 it will be $1300 on the next billing cycle. Of course that assumes no change in your property assessment values.
It is inequitable for the Commissioners to charge city residents a higher tax rate than unincorporated taxpayers. In fact it is unconstitutional. Make your voices heard, and vote your convictions at the next county election.
Many people were in attendance, not at the publicized auditorium, at the hallway in GJAC. There were several hundred for the public hearing, but only about 15 got to speak in the uncomfortable atmosphere. All but one of the speakers were opposed to the millage increase, and it appeared that the vast majority of those in attendance were opposed.
Where to now? There is an additional forum and public hearing on June 2 at 9:30AM and 10:30AM respectively. After these meetings are concluded, I expect the Commissioners to vote (4-1) in favor of increasing your taxes by 30%. That means if your county portion (not the school board or city taxes) of your last bill was $1000 it will be $1300 on the next billing cycle. Of course that assumes no change in your property assessment values.
It is inequitable for the Commissioners to charge city residents a higher tax rate than unincorporated taxpayers. In fact it is unconstitutional. Make your voices heard, and vote your convictions at the next county election.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Gwinnett Tax Plan
Wow, a 30% increase in property tax for county taxpayers who live in Cities and a 25% tax increase for unincorporated tax payers! Asking an already understaffed PD to accept the task of providing patrol and other services to Cities that provide their own police forces makes no sense. This is worse than the stadium scandal or the trash debacle.
Are you listening? Or are you going to roll over and accept this without a blink?
There are opportunities for you to have input into this decision which will be made on June 2, 2009. All these meetings are at GJAC on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.
May 26, 2009--3:30PM Information Forum, 4:30PM Public Hearing
May 26, 2009--5:30PM Information Forum, 6:15PM Public Hearing
June 2, 2009--9:30AM Information Forum, 10:30AM Public Hearing
The millage rate(s) will be set following the final public hearing.
Please contact your Commissioners to express your opinions.
Charles.Bannister@gwinnettcounty.com
Shirley.Lasseter@gwinnettcounty.com
Bert.Nasuti@gwinnettcounty.com
Mike.Beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com
Kevin.Kenerly@gwinnettcounty.com
Are you listening? Or are you going to roll over and accept this without a blink?
There are opportunities for you to have input into this decision which will be made on June 2, 2009. All these meetings are at GJAC on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.
May 26, 2009--3:30PM Information Forum, 4:30PM Public Hearing
May 26, 2009--5:30PM Information Forum, 6:15PM Public Hearing
June 2, 2009--9:30AM Information Forum, 10:30AM Public Hearing
The millage rate(s) will be set following the final public hearing.
Please contact your Commissioners to express your opinions.
Charles.Bannister@gwinnettcounty.com
Shirley.Lasseter@gwinnettcounty.com
Bert.Nasuti@gwinnettcounty.com
Mike.Beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com
Kevin.Kenerly@gwinnettcounty.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rezoning discussion
There have been questions raised about the City's web site. Questions have been asked about how people who don't live inside the city limits can participate in the cost of keeping the web site up and running.
It is obvious that in the last rezoning discussions on the site that most of the posters are opponents of rezoning and that those who are honest enough to provide an address live out side the city limits.
How do you propose to participate in the costs of running and maintaining the site?
It is obvious that in the last rezoning discussions on the site that most of the posters are opponents of rezoning and that those who are honest enough to provide an address live out side the city limits.
How do you propose to participate in the costs of running and maintaining the site?
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