Tallying the Cost of Peachtree Corners Incorporation

The very nature of how organizers plan to operate a new City of Peachtree Corners will likely mean minimal financial impacts for area residents.

 Voters this fall will determine whether Peachtree Corners should incorporate to become Gwinnett’s latest municipality. But unlike the cities cropping up in neighboring counties, service demands should not drive up property taxes.

 Peachtree Corners leaders are hoping for a “city lite” model whereby many key functions – particularly public safety – will continue under the county’s supervision. City officials will be tasked with providing local control over rezonings, code enforcement and trash collection.

 Peachtree Corners now represents capital and operational budget revenues of slightly more than $12 million, according to county figures. Should the city proposal win voter approval, the inaugural council is expected to negotiate agreements that limit any overall negative drains to county budgets.

 State law provides for the potential council to set “a millage rate for the city property tax which shall not exceed 1 mill.” Additionally, the new city could legally collect operation or business fees and permits.

County Commissioner Lynette Howard said the community is considering a city option that does not follow the pattern of other incorporations.

 “It’s a unique thing that this community is extremely conservative – they do not want to have another layer of government, they do not want to increase taxes,” Howard said. “The area still feels like they do not want a full-fledged city and all the expenses with it because they are very happy with the county services.”

 Howard previously served as president of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association, and she said the incorporation decision is more about providing the basis for community organization rather than expanding services.

 “As it has evolved, we as a community wanted to be able to have our own identity, but there was no way to set hard boundaries from being annexed into other areas,” she added.