Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash presented her $1.8 billion proposed budget for 2019 during a briefing on Tuesday, November 27.

The proposed operating budget, excluding transfers between funds, is up about 4.6 percent. Much of the increase in the operating budget is related to increased personnel costs as the County adds necessary personnel and addresses compensation issues. The proposal includes a $1.38 billion operating budget and $434 million for capital improvements, including SPLOST-funded projects.

Nash said the annual budget starts with base funding to maintain core county services such as police and fire protection, jail, courts, roads, transit and water. Additions for new or ongoing initiatives reflect priorities set by the Board of Commissioners last spring.

“This proposed balanced budget continues Gwinnett's tradition of conservative budgeting based on multi-year planning,” said Nash. “This 2019 budget proposal maintains adequate reserves, uses pay-as-you-go financing for capital improvements and also sets aside money for future obligations.”

Read more about the proposed 2019 budget here.

Commissioners accepted public comments during a public hearing held December 10 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center  in Lawrenceville, and will continue to accept online comments through December 31 before adopting a final balanced budget on January 3, 2019.

Quick links for the proposed 2019 budget
Proposed 2019 budget resolution summary
Budget highlights presentation
Online comment form
Video: proposed 2019 Gwinnett County Budget 

Business plan presentations kick off 2019 budget preparation

County elected officials, department directors, and agency heads will present their business plans and financial resource requests for budget year 2019 starting Monday, August 27. The budget presentations, which run through Thursday, August 30, will be heard by the budget review team made up of five Gwinnett residents who were invited by Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash to help set priorities and make recommendations for the proposed budget.

Keith Roche, a Lawrenceville city councilman and retired business executive, is new to the committee this year. He joins four budget review team veterans: Alida Sims, a regional kinship navigator with the Georgia Department of Community Services Division of Family and Children Services; David Cuffie, CEO, Total Vision Consulting LLC; Norwood Davis, CFO, 12Stone Church; and Santiago Marquez, President and CEO, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Sims and Cuffie both graduated from the Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy.

Nash values public input in making local government decisions, saying that it leads to better outcomes.

“Each team member brings a different perspective to the table, which is important as we listen to budgetary needs and plans for the future, review revenue projections and prepare the proposed budget,” said Nash. “I am thankful that each of these talented individuals agreed to serve another year.”

The business plan presentations will be available to view on demand on this website starting the afternoon of August 27.  

The Chairman’s 2019 budget proposal will be made available to the public and news media on November 27 in conjunction with its formal presentation to the district commissioners, and the budget public hearing is scheduled for December 10. By law, the Board of Commissioners must adopt the annual budget during its first meeting in January.

Welcome to the Citizens' Guide to Gwinnett County Finances, a resource for citizens that provides a portal to the County government’s finances

Select the links below to view detailed information about Gwinnett County Government's financial operations and how your tax dollars are spent.

If you are seeking additional information, you may submit an open records request to access documents maintained by the County under the Georgia Open Records Act. Requests are not required to be submitted in writing, but a written request will be helpful in ensuring that each request is completed as accurately as possible. Click here for more information on submitting an open records request.