(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 23, 2021) – Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Tiffany Porter has begun the process of renegotiating agreements with eight municipalities (Berkeley Lake, Dacula, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Peachtree Corners, Snellville, and Sugar Hill) to provide billing and collection services. The proposed changes to the agreements, which must be approved by the Board of Commissioners, would charge municipalities significantly higher rates than in previous years with much of the increased rate being funneled directly to Porter’s personal salary.

If the changes are approved, compensation for the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner would increase about $110,000, raising her overall salary to an estimated $250,000 – higher than any member of Congress or statewide office in Georgia.

Commissioner Kirkland Carden issued the following statement regarding the matter:

“These proposed changes would drastically increase the financial burden placed on municipalities and taxpayers. I can’t think of a worse time to hike the fees a city must pay than right now after their budgets have already been devastated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The previous agreements simply charged municipalities for the cost of services being delivered, however Tax Commissioner Porter is looking to significantly increase the rate – in some cases tripling the fees charged – with excess funds being paid directly to her. These changes are unnecessary and not a responsible use of taxpayers’ money. As a leader who believes in putting the people first, I will not support these changes.”