Vol # 7, Issue 2 - January 22, 2016

Governor’s Recommended Budgets Include Increased Funding for Counties
Details of Gov. Deal’s recommended budgets for Amended FY 2016 and FY 2017 were recently released. The recommendations include victories for counties as they outline increased funding for one of ACCG’s 2016 Legislative Priorities in addition to other areas of significance. In regard to the ACCG legislative priority, the increased funding will assist counties in providing support to juveniles at the local level due to the changes and requirements specified in the governor’s Juvenile Justice Reform - $1.5 million for 15 additional assistant district attorneys and $1.7 million for 20 new public defender positions.
 
Also included in the governor’s recommendations is funding for the Department of Corrections in the area of county correction institutes (CI’s). The recommendation is to provide an incentive of $1,000 per CI inmate/student, noted as performance-based funding, in order to provide them with educational opportunities that will result in the inmates’ graduation from GED and vocational programs. Department of Corrections Commissioner Homer Bryson commented on the significance of the governor’s recommendation to provide further assistance to CI’s.
 
“Gov. Deal’s recommendation for funding to assist the county correctional facilities with providing basic educational programming to offenders is a significant step toward ensuring Criminal Justice Reform is all-encompassing,” he said. “We are excited to support that funding, and to continue building upon our partnership with the county correctional institutes and ACCG by working together to improve chances of successful reentry for offenders." 
 
Click here to access the complete list of highlights from the governor’s recommendations
 
Adjournment Resolution Set Through Legislative Day 40
The General Assembly has set the calendar through Legislative Day 40. Visit here to access the Adjournment Resolution. 
 
Townships - Create with Zoning, Land Use and Building Code Powers
Four pieces of legislation were introduced this week dealing with townships. House Bill 785 and Senate Bill 272, will allow the creation of townships via local legislation with land use, zoning, subdivision, building permit and code enforcement powers, if the voters first approve a statewide referendum approving a constitutional amendment. 
 
Companion resolutions, House Resolution 1051 and Senate Resolution 724, if passed, will call for the statewide referendum to amend the constitution allowing townships to have zoning powers. Townships could levy up to a .5 mill property tax, annex and transition to cityhood. Though counties would have no say in the above decisions, counties must continue to provide all services and infrastructure to the area as they would any unincorporated area. Counties would have an opportunity to comment on township decisions, but nothing is binding or mediated. ACCG will continue to monitor this legislation and will inform county officials of any changes. Please stay tuned for notices and any action alerts if needed on these proposed legislative changes.


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