June 2025

Watkins_2025

Hello Suleica,


Happy June!


Summer has arrived. I hope you enjoy some relaxation and time outside exploring all that Gwinnett has to offer.


I want to thank those that attended the Memorial Day Ceremony (photos below left and below center). It was an honor and privilege to speak at the event and pay my respects to those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I also had the honor of being the keynote speaker at the Snellville Veterans Ceremony (below right), where we honored and remembered those who "gave all" to protect our freedoms.


I'd also like to invite you to my Youth Town Hall I will be holding on Saturday, June 21 at 10:00am at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. The Youth Town Hall will feature an honest conversation about the rise of fentanyl in our community and how it's impacting young lives. The event will feature a screening of the Emmy Award-winning docuseries Upfront Gwinnett: Fighting Fentanyl, followed by a youth-led discussion with a panel of experts in public health and safety.


Keep reading below for news and events in June.

Watkins_Memorial Day
Carden_Watkins_Memorial Day
Watkins_Snellville Veterans Ceremony
Happening Around Gwinnett

Vote in advance through June 13

Voters are not limited to Election Day to cast their ballot for the June 17 Special Primary Election. Registered voters can vote advance in person every day, including select weekend days, through Friday, June 13 at the Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections Office in Lawrenceville and four advance voting locations throughout the County. Voters who prefer to vote by mail can request an absentee ballot until Friday, June 6. Visit GwinnettElections.com for more information.


Vota por adelantado hasta el 13 de junio

Los votantes no están limitados al Día de las Elecciones para emitir su voto para la Primaria de Elección Especial del 17 de junio. Los votantes inscritos pueden votar por adelantado en persona todos los días, incluidos días selectos de fin de semana, hasta el viernes 13 de junio en la Oficina de Inscripción de Votantes y Elecciones de Gwinnett en Lawrenceville y en cuatro lugares de votación adelantada en todo el condado. Los votantes que prefieran votar por correo pueden solicitar una boleta de voto en ausente hasta el viernes 6 de junio. Visite GwinnettElections.com para más información.

Tax Assessors' Office issues annual Notice of Assessment

Most residential and commercial annual Notices of Assessment for 2025 have been mailed. The annual Notice of Assessment is not a tax bill. The notice informs you of the value assessed on your residential or commercial real estate as of January 1, 2025. If property owners disagree with the 2025 value, they have 45 days from the date on their assessment notice to file an appeal online, in person, or by mail.


Recent legislation created a new standardized state-wide assessment notice for 2025. The format was modified due to statutory changes under House Bill 92 earlier this year. This bill amended O.C.G.A § 48-5-306 and related sections. The Gwinnett County Tax Assessors' Office is required by law to use the annual Notice of Assessment form developed by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Box C was revised by the Georgia Department of Revenue to comply with the contents of the annual Notice of Assessment as rewritten by House Bill 92. The new law requires each city, county, and school system to estimate their rollback millage rate. As a result, estimated taxes are no longer shown unless a jurisdiction did not provide their estimate. Any taxpayer who wishes to view and print a copy of their annual Notice of Assessment, research market values, read frequently asked questions, or submit an appeal online may visit Gwinnett-Assessor.com. The Gwinnett County Assessors’ Office can be reached by phone at 770.822.7200 or by email at Taxpayer.Services@GwinnettCounty.com.

Register for Gwinnett 101 Citizen Academy

For 10 years, the Gwinnett 101 Citizen Academy has provided participants with a firsthand glimpse into how and why Gwinnett County Government operates the way it does. Aiming to cultivate informed and engaged residents, students, and business owners in Gwinnett, participants get a behind-the-scenes look at how the County provides high-quality services to the community, meet local leaders, and tour county facilities.


Registration for the fall 2025 cohort is open through June 15. Applications for the nine-week program can be found at Gwinnett101.com. While a submitted application does not guarantee your participation the program, all applicants will be notified of their application status by July 1.

How SPLOST funding is used in Gwinnett

Gwinnett County's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) is a voter-approved, one-cent sales tax on retail purchases made in Gwinnett. The SPLOST funds specific capital improvement projects like:

  • Transportation infrastructure, including roads and bridges
  • Public safety facilities and equipment
  • Parks and recreational facilities
  • Libraries
  • Senior facilities


The most recently approved program began April 1, 2023, and will run until March 31, 2029. It's projected to generate approximately $1.35 billion. The money will allow Gwinnett County and its cities to fund critical infrastructure improvements without solely relying on property tax revenue. Visit GwinnettCounty.com/SPLOST for more information.

What's New in District 3
Bicentenial Plaza and Trailhead

Gwinnett celebrates art installation at Bicentennial Plana and Trailhead

Gwinnett celebrated the installation of two pieces of art at the Bicentennial Plaza and Trailhead in Lawrenceville.


Designed by Georgia artist David Landis, the 11,000-pound "Make a Wish" sculpture draws residents, families, and visitors through a stainless-steel clover forest, capturing the magic of discovery that creates an interactive and enchanting experience where visitors can find a four-leaf clover and make a wish. At the Trailhead, the "Vibrantly Connected" sculpture stands 12 feet tall and features three highly polished stainless-steel gingko leaves that intersect to create negative space that reflects the Gwinnett logo and symbolize resilience, unity, and the county's deep-rooted diversity. Both sculptures enhance the plaza space and trail, representing Gwinnett County's vibrantly connected community and beautifying the communal space.

Grab a summer meal on-the-go

Gwinnett's Summer Meals program is back, providing free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch to children 18 and younger and those 19 and older with physical or mental disabilities. Nutritious meals are available through Friday, August 1 and can be picked up Monday through Friday from 11:00am to 1:00pm while supplies last.


Locations in District 3 that provide meals include Dacula Park in Dacula, Lenora Park in Snellville, Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, and Vines Park in Loganville. Find a complete list of meal locations, bus routes, and more at GwinnettSummerMeals.com. If you are interested in volunteering, visit VolunteerGwinnett.net.

Improvements coming to Sugarloaf Parkway

Gwinnett County will enhance traffic flow and safety at the intersection of Sugarloaf Parkway and US 29/State Route 8/Lawrenceville Highway. Dual left-turn lanes will be added to both approaches to Sugarloaf Parkway, and the southbound right-turn lane will be extended.


In addition to these improvements, the area will be enhanced with traffic signal upgrades, new sidewalks, curb and gutter, and drainage upgrades. The $2.3 million project will use funds from the 2017 SPLOST program and is anticipated to be completed by early 2026.

Burn ban in effect through September 30

To protect air quality, the state Environmental Protection Division imposes a metro-wide burn ban every year from May 1 through September 30. All types of outdoor or open burning are prohibited, including the burning of trees, limbs, and yard waste, as well as the use of air curtain destructors.


For more information, call 678.518.4980 or visit GwinnettFireMarshal.com.

Special Events and Happenings
Visit GwinnettCountyEvents.com or follow the County’s social media channels to learn about more upcoming events.

Pizza Party Night

Friday, June 13 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Grab a slice of pizza, get dunked by our Big Bucket, or ease around the lazy river. All pool rules apply. Open to all ages. Register here. Rhodes Jordan Park Pool, 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville. Event cost: $8 for residents; $24 for non-residents.


Sound Bath in the Park

Saturday June 28 from 9:00am to 10:30am

Relax and recharge with a calming Sound Bath in the Park. Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of crystal bowls, chimes, and nature as you release stress and restore balance in a peaceful outdoor setting. Open to all ages. Register here. Freeman's Mill Park, 1401 Alcovy Road, Lawrenceville. Event cost: Free!


Kids Night Swim: Parents Night Out

Saturday, June 28 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 kids. Attendees must bring a swimsuit, towel, and a change of dry clothes. Open to ages six to 12. Register here. Lenora Park Pool, 4315 Lenora Chruch Road, Snellville. Event cost: $15.

County News

Visit our website and social media for latest news

To stay up-to-date on the County government, visit our website, GwinnettCounty.com or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram @GwinnettGov.  

Gwinnett County Contacts

For questions regarding fire safety, code enforcement, and crime prevention, property owners and managers should contact:

 

Fire and Life Safety

Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services

678.518.4800

FirePrograms@GwinnettCounty.com

 

Code Enforcement

Randy Franklin

770.513.5020

Randy.Franklin@GwinnettCounty.com

 

Crime Prevention

Community Affairs

678.442.6520

PDCommunityAffairs@GwinnettCounty.com