ATLANTA – State Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs) was recently honored by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) with a 2023 Legislative Service Award. The ACCG selected Rep. Thomas for his legislative efforts to balance the rights of both property owners and local governing bodies.
“I am grateful for the recognition by ACCG,” said Rep. Thomas. “My endeavors to protect local governments’ freedom to manage along with ensuring common sense and balanced policies are enacted will be some of the accomplishments I am most proud of during my time in the General Assembly.”
During the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Thomas introduced House Bill 374, legislation that seeks to address a long-standing ACCG policy by allowing aggrieved property owners to
de-annex from a city without the city having unilateral veto authority over the de-annexation. The legislation included several safeguards for cities, including the ability for a city to object to a de-annexation if it harms the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
The ACCG Legislative Service Awards program honors members of the Georgia General Assembly for their work during the legislative session. Todd Edwards, ACCG’s deputy director of governmental affairs, presented Rep. Thomas with his award during the recent Cherokee County Commission meeting.
“The annual Legislative Service Awards program allows ACCG, on behalf of Georgia’s county commissioners, to express appreciation to the dedicated members of the Georgia General Assembly,” said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. “This program showcases the importance of state and local officials working together to best serve those who call our state home.”
The Association County Commissioners of Georgia is Georgia’s county association. It works on behalf of county officials and their communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local government needs, and other cost-saving programs. Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties. For more information, go to www.accg.org.
*Editor’s Note: A photo of Rep. Thomas and Todd Edwards during the ceremony is attached.
Representative Brad Thomas represents the citizens of District 21, which includes portions of Cherokee County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Technology & Infrastructure Innovation Committee and the Secretary of the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Governmental Affairs, Intragovernmental Coordination, Retirement and Transportation committees.
###