A bid to carve out the City of Mulberry from Gwinnett County's northeast corridor has cleared a significant hurdle, with Senate Bill 333 advancing from the Senate to the Georgia House of Representatives. The proposed municipality would introduce local governance over a region currently managed at the county level, as emphasized by House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration who introduced a twin proposal in the other legislative chamber. The measures, if both passed, aim to grant 41,000 residents the power to vote come fall on whether they wish to embrace a new chapter as city dwellers.
Advocates of the bill argue the new city structure is an opportunity to garner local control without the burden of city property taxes. "Local control is really important," Efstration told FOX 5 Atlanta, pointing to the prospective roles neighbors could play in governing. Support for the initiative has been strong among prospective residents like Steve Zheng, who, in a sentiment echoed to FOX 5 Atlanta, suggested that to finally have such governance is to seize "more power."
In the event of Mulberry's incorporation, said sponsors of the bill Relay their expectations of more than $9 million in annual revenue from various taxes and business licenses. Notably, State Senator Clint Dixon from District 45 has been stressing the need to counter high-density zoning approvals by non-local commissioners, which initiated the push for the new city. According to AccessWDUN, Dixon commented prior to the Senate vote about the overruling of District 4 Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp and the out-of-area approvals that stoked the fires for Mulberry's conceptualization.
While Mulberry draws closer to potential incorporation, the move has not been without its dissenters. Critics like Mike Rogers hold reservations, as he told FOX 5 Atlanta, "They can tell me a lot of things, but a year from now what does it mean? How does it impact us?" Moreover, Gwinnett County officials warn of a possible $9 million revenue loss, although Dixon remains undeterred, suggesting that through intergovernmental agreements, the impact on county funds could be significantly less. Much like Peachtree Corners, Mulberry would outsource key services such as police, fire, or garbage collection to the county but would handle zoning, code enforcement, and stormwater services internally if established. Dixon also reaffirmed the absence of additional taxes on Mulberry's residents should the city come into being.
The legislative journey for Senate Bill 333 is far from over. It must next garner approval from the Georgia House before potentially landing on Governor Brian Kemp's desk for signing. Only then would the electorate get to directly voice their preference on Mulberry's fate in the May primary election. With the stage set for a government that mirrors the faces in its community, Mulberry's residents are simply steps away from deciding if they're ready to collectively pen their governance narrative.
