The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday adopted the same general fund millage rate as last year, 6.95 mills.
Property taxes are based on millage rates set by county government, school systems and cities. One mill equals a dollar tax per thousand dollars of assessed property value. The Gwinnett County Tax Assessor calculates the total value of all taxable property in the county, called the tax digest, by conducting annual updates of residential and commercial property values.
Most homeowners in Gwinnett benefit from the value offset exemption, which holds the assessed value of a property constant for the county tax portion of their bill, even if there is an increase in property value. This means they will not see an increase in the county government portion of their tax bill.
The property tax millage rate for property owners in unincorporated Gwinnett County will be 14.71. The millage rates for special service districts and countywide levies for recreation and economic development also remain unchanged from last year. Millage rates for service districts in Gwinnett are based on property location and county services provided, such as police, fire and emergency services and code enforcement.
Tuesday’s action paved the way for the Tax Commissioner’s Office to mail property tax bills in September. Payments are due in November.
Two new hotels coming to Sugarloaf CID area
The Sugarloaf Community Improvement District is welcoming two more hotels to serve visitors to the area.
Satellite Commercial Properties is managing the development of an Element by Westin hotel at 2140 Satellite Boulevard, featuring rooms with kitchens for longer stays.
Surya Hospitality is managing the development of a Holiday Inn Express and Suites, a 110-room property located at 1930 Satellite Boulevard, with complimentary breakfast and meeting room spaces. Both hotels are aiming for a Fall 2026 opening.
Lawrenceville earns strong credit rating from agencies
The City of Lawrenceville has earned strong ratings from the nation’s leading credit agencies, reflecting confidence in the city’s fiscal management and economic growth. S&P Global Ratings affirmed Lawrenceville’s “AA” rating with a stable outlook, while Moody’s Investors Service reaffirmed its “Aa2” rating with a stable outlook.
City Manager Chuck Warbington said the ratings demonstrate Lawrenceville’s stability and readiness for the future. “Credit ratings like these are more than numbers — they’re a reflection of the choices we make as a city. We’re intentional about how we grow, how we invest, and how we prepare for the future. Lawrenceville’s financial strength gives us the flexibility to respond to challenges and the confidence to pursue opportunities that benefit our residents for years to come.”
Both agencies cited Lawrenceville’s solid reserves, conservative budgeting practices, and steady performance of its electric and gas utility funds as key strengths. Moody’s reported more than $106 million in cash reserves, equal to 69% of annual revenues, while S&P noted that the City ended fiscal year 2024 with more than $18 million in general fund reserves, equal to two-thirds of annual revenue.
The city’s long-term planning and moderate debt levels also contributed to the strong ratings. Lawrenceville maintains a five-year capital improvement plan funded through revenues and special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) collections, with no additional debt required at this time.
Economic growth continues to bolster the city’s position, with total assessed value increasing by 70% in the past five years, supported by strong residential and commercial development. Major projects such as Northside Hospital Gwinnett’s new tower, The Lawrence – Lawrenceville’s new downtown hotel, and industrial expansions are expected to bring thousands of jobs and further strengthen the local economy.
Chief Financial Officer Keith Lee noted that the reports validate the city’s financial discipline. “Both agencies pointed to what we’ve worked hard to build—healthy reserves, smart debt decisions, and a strategy that balances growth with caution. Moody’s specifically noted the strength of our fund balance and the stability provided by utility operations, which make up the majority of our revenue. It’s not flashy, but it works. This kind of validation reinforces that our long game is paying off.”
Johnson honors First Senior Center
Congressman Hank Johnson has honored First Senior Center of Georgia (FSCofGA) in Norcross with the H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Elevate) Awards.
FSCofGA founder and CEO Von Tran expressed pride and gratitude for the recognition, saying, “This has been an incredible year for all of us at First Senior Center of Georgia. Receiving this award from Congressman Johnson is not only an honor for me, it also means that the most vulnerable population of our community, our seniors, are seen, and the hard work of our staff and volunteers are recognized.”
At the ceremony, Congressman Hank Johnson praised FSCofGA, saying, “Our nonprofits are the backbone of this country, providing critical service and support that improves communities and saves lives.”
