Residents of Gwinnett County are taking a hands-on approach in determining how their tax dollars will be spent in the coming year. Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson has brought together a Citizens Budget Review Team, which includes Gwinnett locals, to weigh in on the county's fiscal priorities before the 2026 budget is finalized.
Beginning today, key figures from the County's various departments will lay out their 2026 business plans, detailing the needs and visions of those entities tasked with serving the community. After presentations, the team, led by Hendrickson, the group, not just a passive observer, will play a critical role in evaluating department needs and formulate recommendations to ensure funds align with the resident’s interests.
Addressing the initiative, Chairwoman Hendrickson emphasized local involvement in the budgeting process, asserting, "Gwinnett residents are integral to shaping our County's future through their participation in the budget process." This strategy, she argues, will bolster "transparency and accountability" and make sure investments go toward programs and services that benefit locals and local businesses, according to a Gwinnett County press release.
On the team, offering their expertise are David Cuffie, Michael Park, Denise Rumbaugh, and Ronald S. Skeete. Park, along with being a Leadership Gwinnett graduate and commercial insurance advisor, serves as an important voice for Atlanta's Asian American and Pacific Islander community. And Skeete, who volunteers to coordinate youth programs across Cobb, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties, will bring his nonprofit experience to the table to hopefully make a significant impact.
For those interested in the budget proceedings, on-demand videos of the presentations will be accessible on the county's official website. The business plans will also feature on the government access channel, TV Gwinnett. It's expected that the proposed budget, after rigorous review and community input, will be made public in November.
The Board of Commissioners is expected to adopt the proposed budget at its January meeting. Unlike traditional budget planning done behind closed doors, this budget was shaped through community input and public discussions. It reflects a growing move toward participatory budgeting, aimed at narrowing the gap between government decision-makers and the residents who fund public services, as stated on the county’s website.
