Gwinnett’s largest city, there will be a “transition” phase. Section 8.11 of the Charter discusses this phase and what powers and authorities the transition group will have during this period. Beginning on page 32, it reads:
During the transition period, the governing authority of the City of Peachtree Corners:
(1) Shall hold regular meetings and may hold special meetings as provided in this charter;
(2) May enact ordinances and resolutions as provided in this charter;
(3) May amend this charter by home rule action as provided by general law;
(4) May accept gifts and grants;
(5) May borrow money and incur indebtedness to the extent authorized by this charter and general law;
(6) May levy and collect an ad valorem tax for calendar years 2012 and 2013;
(7) May establish a fiscal year and budget;
(8) May create, alter, or abolish departments, boards, offices, commissions, and agencies of the city; appoint and remove officers and employees; and exercise all necessary or appropriate personnel and management functions; and
(9) May generally exercise any power granted by this charter or general law, except to the extent that a power is specifically and integrally related to the provision of a governmental service, function, or responsibility not yet provided or carried out by the city.
We are particularly alarmed by items 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 in this list because it provides a means for the transitional group to change the charter, incur debt, and set up all sorts of departments, commissions, etc. that the City will be forced to honor and fund through more taxes, permits fees, and the like. All the while, they may accept gifts and grants for their favor to whomever is providing said gifts.
Please read the Charter before you vote. You are not voting on or for the people currently supporting cityhood and their pretty postcards. You are voting on this document. It and the politicians using it are what will ultimately rule us.
Posted by: Ali
