Atlanta (September 28, 2021) | Last week, Superior Court Judge Laura Tate ruled that the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner must collect property taxes without the ability to increase fees. SB 201 applies to any county that contains 14 or more municipalities and prevents county tax commissioners from negotiating contracts with cities to increase their own salary.
“Senate Bill 201 being signed into law was a major achievement for our taxpayers and our municipalities,” said Sen. Merritt (D – Grayson). “Judge Tate’s ruling solidifies the value of this bill and provides evidence that all tax commissioners are responsible for doing their jobs in an ethical manner, while the county has the right to make the decision regarding compensation. The taxpayers of Gwinnett County will benefit from this ruling immensely.”
“Judge Tate provided a thoughtful and detailed order ruling that the 2021 law passed with bipartisan support is constitutional,” said Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula). “I fully support the Judge’s ruling. This is a major win for Gwinnett County taxpayers.”
You can read the full text of SB 201 here: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59763
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Sen. Nikki Merritt represents the 9th Senate District which includes portions of Gwinnett County. She was first elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2020 and currently serves as a member on Government Oversight, Insurance and Labor, Natural Resources and the Environment and Special Judiciary committees. She may be reached at (404) 463-2260 or via email at nikki.merritt@senate.ga.gov
Representative Chuck Efstration represents the citizens of District 104, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2013 and currently serves as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System and the Rules, Code Revision, Ethics, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance and Juvenile Justice committees. He also serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee.