Gwinnett Commission Approves $1.5 Billion Budget

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- Gwinnett County commissioners approved a $1.5 billion budget on Tuesday that holds the line on property taxes, while restoring some spending that had been cut during the financial downturn of recent years.

The budget invests in infrastructure improvements and other community projects, restores some services that had been cut and beefs up efforts at employee recruitment and retention.

“This budget invests in the big picture, focusing on what’s really important for our community,” commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said in a news release. “It also is in line with our history of sustainable, conservative financial management by looking at future implications of today’s decisions.”

The new operating budget is $1.1 billion, up about $5 million from last year.

It unfreezes 25 police positions and restores staff at the county animal shelter and in the parks maintenance department.

Library funding was restored to 88% of its 2008 level and three new express routes were added to Gwinnett Transit.

The budget includes additions to a special-victims unit at the District Attorney’s office, 30 new police officers, nine new firefighters and paramedics, 12 new part-time sheriff deputies, three new positions in Juvenile Court and a new magistrate judge.

It also includes a 4% pay-for-performance raise for eligible employees and the return of longevity pay.

The capital-spending portion of the budget is $363 million -- down from $371 million last year.

It includes funds for a new state patrol building, a courthouse expansion, a new medical examiner’s/morgue building, renovations at the senior center and body cameras for police officers and sheriff’s deputies.

The budget resolution summary is posted on the County’s website at www.gwinnettcounty.com. A more comprehensive budget document will be published later in the year, according to a county news release.