This legislation, similar to SB 272, would allow for 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, HR 1051 and SR 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.

This legislation, similar to HB 785, would allow for the creation of townships via local legislation with land use, zoning, subdivision, building permit and code enforcement powers, if Georgia voters first approve a statewide referendum approving a constitutional amendment. Companion resolutions, SR 724 and HR 1051, 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.

This legislation instills meaningful reforms and more predictability in the process of creating new cities in Georgia.  Current law has very few requirements to formulate a new city, often putting legislators in the position of refereeing contentious local disputes with inadequate information by which both legislators and the public can make an informed decision.  Among other provisions, this legislation expands the new city's impact study to look at the fiscal and service delivery impacts on the entire county, prohibits unincorporated islands, places several of the current "rules" in statute so that they cannot be changed in the middle of the process, and studies what impact the newly incorporated area will have on past pension obligations to the county. For a more detailed summary, please click here.