Gwinnett Commission Presents $1.5 Billion Proposed Budget

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash presented a $1.56 billion proposed budget for the 2017 fiscal year to commissioners and the public on Tuesday.

The budget represents a roughly 5.5 percent increase over 2016 spending.

It includes a $1.18 billion operating budget for the county and another $384 million for capital improvements in Gwinnett.

There will be a public hearing on the spending plan on December 5. Commissioners are expected to vote on a final budget during their first meeting in January.

The proposed budget includes spending on new public-safety and judicial positions, including staffing for two around-the-clock ambulance units and additional traffic-management officers.

It also includes a 4 percent "pay for performance" raise for eligible county employees, continuation of longevity pay and a revamped pay scale for police officers, sheriff's deputies and corrections officers.

"This proposal is in line with Gwinnett’s history of sustainable, conservative budgeting practices and looks at least three to five years ahead at future implications of our decisions," Nash said in a news release. "The primary focus of this proposed budget is on retaining employees, supporting public safety, expanding the judiciary to meet demand and enhancing community engagement."

Commissioners had asked the county administrator and human resources staffers to put together recommendations to address attrition issues the county has had with employees, particularly in law enforcement.

Earlier this month, Gwinnett voters approved the renewal of the county's special-purpose, local option sales tax.

The new six-year SPLOST program will begin when the 2014 program ends in April. The estimated $950 million it could raise is slated for county and city capital improvements in transportation, recreation, civic center expansion, public safety, libraries and senior services.

Capital improvements funded by SPLOST programs include an $82 million expansion of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, a new gym at George Pierce Park plus expansions and improvements at other parks.

Construction on the courthouse expansion is slated to begin in the middle of 2017 and should be completed in late 2019.

The senior center housed in the Norcross Human Services Center will also be renovated.

The December 5 public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

The proposed budget is available for viewing online and as a hard copy in the Financial Services office at GJAC, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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