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Hello Suleica,
Happy July!
I hope you all are staying cool and can take some time to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends.
In this special edition, I want to share the new and notable Georgia laws that went into effect on July 1. These laws address issues ranging from dropping Georgia's flat income tax rate to banning cell phones in classrooms.
I want to thank those that attended my Youth Town Hall in June. The event featured great conversations about the rise of fentanyl in our community and its impacts on young lives. This is a very important manner, and it is my hope that we continue to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl.
Keep reading below for news and events in July.
| | Happening Around Gwinnett | | |
Gwinnett County launches Community Service Aide Program
To enhance support for Gwinnett Police officers, the County introduced a new, non-sworn position within the Police Department called community service aides. Community service aides handle functions like road closures, abandoned vehicles, and missing-person searches.
These responsibilities will support our officers, allowing more time to respond quickly to urgent calls and critical incidents. For those interested in a career in law enforcement, this role can serve as a valuable pathway with hands-on experiences and a potential entry point into the profession. Six community service aides began serving the community this month. To learn more about the program, visit GwinnettCounty.com/CommunityServiceAide.
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Annual Notice of Assessment appeal deadline
Most residential, commercial, and personal property annual Notices of Assessment for 2025 were mailed on May 23, which means Monday, July 7, is the last day to appeal the assessed value of your property. In the gray box on the right-hand corner of the notice, you’ll see the assessment notice date and the last day to file an appeal.
Property owners may appeal the assessed value within 45 days of the notice date by submitting a completed PT-311A form online or by mail. Mailed forms must be received or postmarked within 45 days of the date of your notice. It is suggested to send mailed documents by a trackable method to confirm delivery. Please be aware that all official County Notices of Assessment will be sent in an envelope with the official Gwinnett County logo, Assessors Office name, and address. Any other mail that does not include this information is not affiliated with Gwinnett County. Please contact the Tax Assessors' Office at 770.822.7200 with any questions.
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Make Your Mark: Submit a Project for Volunteers!
Does your organization need a helping hand? Gwinnett Great Days of Service 2025 is your chance to mobilize thousands of dedicated volunteers to tackle your crucial project and areas of need this fall.
Submit your project application between July 15 and August 17 and let Gwinnett's largest volunteer initiative help YOU make a lasting impact. Learn more and apply at VolunteerGwinnett.net today!
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Share your input on sustainability
Gwinnett County is developing a new sustainability training program to help small businesses like yours implement best practices. We need your input by July 31 to make sure this program reflects your needs, priorities, and challenges.
Your answers will shape workshops and tools tailored to businesses like yours. Whether you’re just starting to explore sustainability or already have established sustainability goals and initiatives, your voice matters.
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Step into history at the new Hooper-Renwick Themed Library
Visit the newly opened Hooper-Renwick Themed Library in Lawrenceville. Once the only public high school for Black students in the Gwinnett County school system, Hooper-Renwick has been reimagined as a powerful space that honors local Black history. Explore the exhibits, community stories, and original features from the historic school building.
The library is open Monday to Thursday from 10:00am to 8:00pm, Friday to Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Sunday from noon to 5:00pm. For more information, visit the Gwinnett County Public Library site.
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Get rid of your hazardous waste
Clear out your garage and basement and dispose of your household hazardous waste! Join us at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day event on Saturday, July 26 from 8:00am to noon at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville.
Residents can bring up to five disposable containers of waste products like paint, motor oil, batteries, cleaning chemicals, and more. For a complete list of acceptable waste products, visit GwinnettCB.org. If you’d like to volunteer at this event, visit VolunteerGwinnett.net.
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Save a life by sheltering a foster pet
As the summer season brings a surge in animal shelter intakes, Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement needs your help. Whether you can open your heart and home temporarily or for a lifetime, every act of fostering or adoption gives a shelter pet a second chance. Helping just one animal gives it the relief, care, and chance it deserves — and it frees up space for another pet in need.
Spread the word! If you're interested or have questions, email our foster coordinator at Katherine.Claborn@GwinnettCounty.com or visit GwinnettAnimalWelfare.com to learn more.
| | Special Events and Happenings | | |
Paws on the Red Carpet
Monday July 7 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Join us for a fun-filled, star-studded evening where pet owners and their pets are the stars! Whether your pup is a seasoned influencer or a camera-shy newcomer, get tips on how to capture the perfect selfie and stunning photos that showcase your bond. Open to all ages. Register here. Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center, 884 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville. Event cost: Free!
Kids Night Swim: Parents Night Out
Saturday, July 12 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Drop the kids off at the pool and enjoy a night out! Dinner will be served with swim time for the kids. Attendees should bring a swimsuit, towel, and a change of clothes. Open to ages six to 12. Register here. Lenora Park Pool, 4315 Lenora Church Road, Snellville. Event cost: $15.
Back to School: Bingo Bash
Saturday, June 28 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Celebrate back to school with a day full of fun, food, and Bingo! Enjoy pool time, grab a bite from local food vendors, and join us for Bingo rounds on our safety breaks throughout the day! Bring a new school supply or backpack to donate and receive a bingo card for each item donated (limit eight bingo cards per person), with a winner each safety break. Open to all ages. Lenora Park Pool, 4315 Lenora Church Road, Snellville. Event cost: Free!
| | Commissioner Watkins in the Community | | In June, I hosted a Youth Town Hall on the dangers of fentanyl. The event featured great conversation from both teens and the panel, which featured experts in public health and safety. | | I had the honor of speaking at the Hopper-Renwick Themed Library ribbon cutting. The library is the first themed library in the Southeast and features library amenities, community space and exhibits that showcase stories, accomplishments, and memorabilia. | | To close out Black History Month, I led a group to Montgomery, Alabama to explore the history of racial injustice at the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. It was a reflective trip on how far we have come and what more needs to be done. | | | | |
