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Greetings!
Happy September!
Fall is just around the corner! I always have a hard time believing how quickly time flies. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the start of summer.
I want to thank those who attended my events last month. We had very engaging conversations at my youth forum regarding mental health, about the pressures our young people face and how we can break that stigma. I also wanted to thank those who attended the Millage Rate Town Hall, where we all gained a better understanding of how the rate is calculated and its impact on you.
Keep reading below for news and events in September.
| | Happening Around Gwinnett | | |
Board of Commissioners holds general millage rate steady
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners adopted the same general fund millage rate as last year of 6.95 mills. Property taxes are based on millage rates set by county government, school systems, and cities. One mill equals a dollar
tax per thousand dollars of assessed property value. The Gwinnett County Tax Assessor calculates the total value of all taxable property in the county, called the tax digest, by conducting annual updates of residential and commercial property values.
Most homeowners in Gwinnett benefit from the value offset exemption, which holds the assessed value of a property constant for the county tax portion of their bill, even if there is an increase in property value. This means they will not see an increase in the county government portion of their tax bill. The rate passage paved the way for the Tax Commissioner's Office to mail property tax bills in September. Payments are due in November. Property owners or mortgage lenders can make payments by mail, online, in person at the main tax office, or by using one of the special drop boxes located at tag offices.
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County buildings get new names to better identify their services
Three buildings around the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center campus in Lawrenceville have been renamed to help visitors differentiate the buildings and to better reflect the services they house.
| | The names of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center and the Nash Court Building will not change. | | |
Join us at the Public Safety Fall Festival
Join us for a fun-packed day at the Public Safety Fall Festival on Saturday, September 27 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. Enjoy food, giveaways, demonstrations, displays, meet first responders, and watch the Motorcycle Training Challenge with multiple police agencies showcasing the best of motorcycle courses.
Kids can also enjoy touch-a-truck with a SWAT personnel carrier, fire trucks, and other specialized vehicles. For more information, email PDCommunityAffairs@Gwinnettounty.com.
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Visit 4-H Farm Friends at the fair
Experience life on the farm inside the Big Red Barn at the annual 4-H Farm Friends exhibit at the Gwinnett County Fair. From Thursday, September 11, through Sunday, September 21, get up close and personal with rabbits, goats, and sheep. You can even try milking Daisy, the wooden sawhorse cow.
Group tours are available weekdays from 9:30am to 11:30am. Home school groups and families with toddlers are invited to visit the exhibit during an exclusive Discovery Day on Friday, September 19. Visit GwinnettExtension.com to learn more.
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Get free plumbing services through the Water Resources Assistance Program
Eligible Gwinnett County homeowners can apply for free plumbing services to fix leaks, (maintain or pump) septic systems, and replace old water fixtures through the Water Resources Assistance Program. To qualify for WRAP, applicants must live in Gwinnett County, own and live in the home receiving the services, and earn an annual household income at or below 65% of the area median income.
The program is a partnership between Gwinnett Water Resources and local organizations. To learn more and apply, visit GwinnettCounty.com/WRAP.
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Get a grant towards your first home
If you're a first-time homebuyer, you might be eligible for Gwinnett's Homestretch Down Payment Assistance Program. New or existing Gwinnett residents aspiring to own a home can receive down payment assistance of up to $10,000 as a five-year deferred payment loan with 0% interest.
To qualify, the home must be located within Gwinnett County. Visit GwinnettCounty.com/HomestretchDPA for a list of eligibility requirements and to apply.
| | Special Events and Happenings | | |
Paws in the Park
Saturday, September 13 from 11:00 am to 1:00pm
Spend a relaxing afternoon at the dog park with music, meeting local vets, dog trainers, groomers, and gathering valuable insights from Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement. Open to all ages. Lenora Park, 4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville. Event cost: Free!
Autumn Equinox Camp Out
Friday, September 19 at 5:30 to Saturday, September 20 at 10:00am
Join us for an all-ages family campout featuring dinner, a nature hike, s'mores, and breakfast treats. Open to all ages. Register here. Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville. Event cost: $15 per resident; $29 per non-resident.
Literary Arts Festival
Saturday, September 20 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Authors and artists abound! Enjoy a relaxing Saturday on the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse lawn for our first ever Literary Arts Festival. Open to all ages. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville. Event cost: Free!
| | Commissioner Watkins in the Community | | |
It was an eye-opening experience to host the "Mental Health + Me" youth forum, featuring a panel of youth.
They led a powerful discussion about their lived experiences and offered solutions for how we all can encourage our youth's mental wellness. I appreciate all of those that attended as we continue to tackle this difficult issue.
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We had a lively discussion at my Millage Rate Town Hall and spoke openly about the impact of the millage rate on residents with assistance from the Tax Assessors Office and Department of Financial Services.
In addition to discussing the millage rate, we also covered updates on a variety of topics such as crime statistics, community services, land use, and much more.
| | Updates from a District 3 Board Appointee | | |
Understanding land use in District 3
Land use shapes how our community grows - whether land becomes housing, a park, a business, or remains open space. It refers to how land is planned and regulated for specific purposes such as residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, or conservation. In Gwinnett, land use decisions are guided by the Unified Development Ordinance and informed by the 2045 Unified Plan. The UDO sets zoning and development rules, while the 2045 Unified Plan outlines a long-term vision to guide future growth. This coordination supports planning across transportation, housing, economic development, public health, and the environment. For example, encouraging housing near job centers can support economic development, reduce commute times (transportation), and lower emissions that impact public health and the environment.
Together the UDO and 2045 Unified Plan help ensure land use decisions contribute to a healthier, more sustainable Gwinnett. Since Georgia's Planning Act in 1989, cities and counties must create and update comprehensive plans with community input. Residents of District 3 can play a meaningful role in this process by attending public meetings and responding to surveys. Please email Katrina.Fellows@GwinnettCounty.com with any questions.
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