The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has faith in the legislative process, despite being blindsided earlier this week by state Sen. Clint Dixon’s introduction of legislation during a special session of the Georgia General Assembly on redistricting that would significantly change the structure of Gwinnett County government, altering the way the County conducts business.
SB6EX would double the size of the elected board from the current five-member format to 10 members.
The proposal also would weaken the authority of the board chairperson to an occasional tie-breaker.
The burden of a board twice the size would fall on taxpayers, who would have to fund the salaries, staff and expenses for five additional politicians.
The current board members have not received any indication from Gwinnett County residents wanting to see drastic changes made to a governing body that has seen so much success, both recently and in the past. SB6EX bypassed the normal local legislation process and is questionable to be considered “emergency” local legislation
The revitalization of Gwinnett Place Mall, opening and operating two COVID-19 vaccination clinics for residents, increasing patrols at Asian-owned businesses, establishing the first-ever Police Citizens Advisory Board – even being recognized by the White House as a top performer for its use of federal stimulus funds, are just a few highlights of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners’ recent accomplishments.
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners’ asks are simple: deny the proposed legislation altogether and give the board a chance to do what taxpayers voted them in office to do – get the job done – and draw their own district lines in a fair process.
