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SNELLVILLE - Mayor and Council announce the unanimous approval of the city's Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) balanced budget. While keeping property taxes stable, the $40,740,970 budget maintains current services, prioritizes staff retention and fosters community development.

The budget’s approval comes after months of planning and discussion and two public hearings. 

“We are proud to approve a budget that maintains and improves services for citizens and spurs the future growth of Snellville without raising the millage rate,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “This is the fourth consecutive year the millage rate has remained at 4 mills. However, in order to hold the line on the overall millage rate, the decision was made to reinstate a residential sanitation fee of $240 that will be reflected on tax bills in September.” 

The FY26 budget reflects the current global economic conditions which have impacted the cost of living, health coverage, construction supplies and utilities. 

City leaders have balanced these increased expenses with a focus on continued quality service and progress toward community goals.

Community Development: 

The city, with citizen input, updated the T.W. Briscoe Park Master Plan. The plan included the construction of a new community center with amenities such as an indoor walking track, basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts, meeting rooms and an aerobics studio. In May, the city broke ground on the $11.3 million community center funded by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and more than $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funding.

The Grove at Towne Center continues to develop with the anticipated opening of Crooked Can Brewery and food hall, Dumpling Master, The Grove Taqueria and Parkside District. Within the entertainment district, the city will continue with its concert series and events. 

Capital Improvements: 
Funding is provided for a major intersection improvement at North Road and Wisteria Drive, addressing congestion and improving safety near The Grove at Towne Center. The project will also include new sidewalks, lighting and landscaping as well as upgraded traffic signals to improve safety for pedestrians in the area. 

To continue to provide quality services, the budget has funds for new equipment including a truck for the stormwater department, six police vehicles and a mower for right-of-way maintenance. 

Other capital investments include a total of $1 million for the city’s annual paving project and $1.4 million in stormwater infrastructure improvements. 

Revenue Adjustments and Restructuring: 
Mayor and Council upheld the referendum vote to support House Bill 581. With this legislation, homeowners will receive the floating homestead exemption which ties increases to property values to the rate of inflation instead of market values. This will slow the property valuation increases for homeowners and the full effect on the city’s property tax collections will not be known for several years. The floating homestead exemption is in addition to the city’s current homestead exemption.

Sanitation Fee Implemented:

The city has funded residential garbage collection out of general fund property taxes for the last 20 years. Since this policy was instituted, the cost of sanitation services has increased substantially and city staff has recommended charging separately for services. 

“We’ve known for the past five years that this train was coming to an end,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “We will have to rebid the contract next year and seeing the current rates other cities are facing, we know our costs will have yet another substantial increase. We simply cannot continue to fund the shortfall without either a serious increase to the millage rate or adding a flat user fee. This is not something any of us wanted to do.”

The $240 annual fee will be included in this year’s property tax bills.

Staff Retention and Recruitment: 
A 3 percent increase in salary is designed to retain and attract new employees to the city. Parks and Recreation will hire two new full-time and 13 part-time employees to staff the new Community Center at T.W. Briscoe Park. 

“Presenting a budget without a millage increase while keeping services and quality of life at the level expected by city residents is a priority,” said City Manager Matthew Pepper. “It is a testament to the dedication of Mayor and Council and city staff to be able to present a balanced budget that keeps the city on a path toward excellence.” 

CITY OF SNELLVILLE
PUBLIC HEARING
FY-2026 BUDGET

On Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 the Mayor and City Council will hold a Special Called Meeting and Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. to give its citizens the opportunity to provide written and oral comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.  All citizens are urged to attend this Public Hearing on May 27th at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Snellville City Hall, located at 2342 Oak Road, Snellville Georgia.

The proposed budget is available for inspection at Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or you can download the budget using the link below.

The Mayor and City Council will consider adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget on Monday, June 9th, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia.

Melisa Arnold, City Clerk
City of Snellville

FY 2026 Proposed Budget

SNELLVILLE - Construction is planned to begin May 5 on a new $11.3 million Community Center in T.W. Briscoe Park. 

“This is a project that has been in the conceptual discussion phase for over 20 years,” said Mayor Barbara Bender. “It’s very exciting to get to this point. We look forward to the Community Center at T.W. Briscoe Park becoming a place where people can exercise, stay fit and healthy, relax, and gather together for decades to come.”

The center will be approximately 34,000 square feet and includes two basketball courts striped for multi-sport play, an indoor walking track, an outdoor pavilion, two multi-purpose activity rooms, and one aerobics room. The project will be located near the current Snellville Parks and Recreation office. 

The Community Center is designed by Goodwin Mills Cawood and will be built by Place Services, Inc. which is slated to complete construction in the Summer of 2026.

“Briscoe Park offers our visitors over 95 acres of natural, passive areas and active recreation space for programming, all in one beautiful setting,” said Lisa A. Platt, Director of Parks and Recreation. “With the addition of the T.W. Briscoe Community Center, Snellville Parks and Recreation will be able to elevate our service and programming for the community and continue working toward our vision for innovative programming, to provide recreational opportunities that ensure quality of life for all in mind, body and spirit.” 

The project is primarily funded by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), which was approved for recreation projects by local voters in 2023 for recreation projects. Some additional funding is provided from an earlier SPLOST vote in 2017. Notably, the City of Snellville received $900,000 in grant funding from Gwinnett County via the Community Development Block Grant program of federal funds.

Construction of the Community Center will begin in May and is expected to be complete by the Summer of 2026. During construction, visitors to Briscoe Park should prepare for the following limited impacts:

• East Park Drive will be closed in its entirety from Lenora Church Road to the four-way stop at Sawyer Parkway inside Briscoe Park
• Outdoor basketball courts will be closed beginning May 5. The courts will be removed in order for the new Community Center to be built. Indoor courts will be available for play once the center is completed and new outdoor basketball courts are planned for future implementation of the Park Master Plan.
• Parking for Staley Field will be in front of the Parks and Recreation Office or at the lots near the softball fields.
• The fitness trail behind the park office will remain open initially, but will be re-routed at various times to accommodate multiple phases of the construction process. 

Follow Snellville Parks and Recreation and City Facebook pages and visit www.snellville.org for construction updates.

A groundbreaking event for the Briscoe Park Community Center is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., May 1 and is open to the public.

Snellville Police Department Lt. Andre Sullivan, has been recognized by Piedmont Eastside Medical Center his actions after helping a stranded family in need. 

Recently, as Sullivan was out on patrol, he noticed a stalled car on Scenic Highway. After going up to the occupants of the car, Sullivan found out the two adults and a child had not only run out of gas but were also displaced and currently living at a warm shelter. Sullivan took a gas can they had, filled it, and purchased a $40 QuikTrip gas gift card for future use.

Because of the situation, Sullivan also took it upon himself to buy meals for the family, so they wouldn't go hungry. He even received a letter of commendation from the Snellville Police Department because of his actions.

“Snellville Police Department’s line of work is often a thankless job, and we want to make the community aware of local heroes and all they do to make Gwinnett County a better and safer place," said Piedmont Eastside CEO Larry Ebert.

Piedmont Eastside leaders recognized the officer by honoring him with a poster and glass plaque award, deeming him a "First Friday Hero." 

Piedmont Eastside keeps a call out for nominations for the First Friday Hero program, an initiative designed to honor first responders in Gwinnett County who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and service beyond the call of duty.
 Piedmont Eastside’s First Friday Hero program aims to recognize the bravery, commitment, and extraordinary efforts of our local heroes. Each month, a first responder who has gone above and beyond in their duties will be celebrated and acknowledged for their invaluable contributions to our community.

As April kicks off Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Snellville Police is urging all drivers to stay focused behind the wheel and put down their distractions. Each year, distracted driving claims thousands of lives and causes even more injuries, and this month serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and attention while driving. Within the city limits, the Snellville Police Department has seen a rise in distracted driving related collisions over the years with the popularity of smart phones and social media on the rise.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is responsible for more than 3,000 fatalities annually in the United States. With the rise of smartphone usage, in-vehicle technology, and other distractions, the risk of accidents continues to increase.

Key Facts About Distracted Driving:

• Texting and driving increases the risk of crashing by up to 23 times.
• Distracted driving includes activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting in-car entertainment or navigation systems, and more.
• Drivers can become distracted in the blink of an eye—taking their attention away from the road for just a few seconds can lead to devastating consequences.

What You Can Do:

1. Put Your Phone Away: If you must make a call or send a message, pull over safely first. Keep your phone out of reach to avoid the temptation.
2. Focus on the Road: Avoid using in-car tech systems while driving. Set up your GPS or playlist before you start driving.
3. Be a Role Model: Encourage others, especially young drivers, to stay focused and avoid distractions while driving.

Snellville Police Department is committed to reducing distracted driving accidents through education, outreach, and support for safer driving habits. This month, Snellville Police is partnering with local authorities, schools, and community groups to host events and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Throughout the month, Snellville Police will be conducting proactive traffic enforcement details in an effort to combat the dangers of distracted driving.

Join us in the effort to reduce distracted driving and keep our roads safe. Together, we can make a difference.

Construction on significant traffic improvements at the intersection of Wisteria Drive and North Road will begin on March 31 in Snellville.

The investment in one of the busiest intersections in the city will improve traffic flow by addressing congestion and improving safety near The Grove at Towne Center. 

Roadway improvements in the area include a 300-foot right-turn lane on Wisteria Drive westbound, a 600-foot left-turn lane on North Road southbound, and a 150-foot left-turn lane on North Road northbound.

The project will also include new sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping as well as upgraded traffic signals to improve safety for pedestrians in the area. 

During the course of construction, which is expected to last roughly 12 months, there are no planned complete road closures. However, partial lane closures may be necessary. Drivers are asked to use caution when in the area and abide by signage and any traffic redirection in order to allow the project to progress safely and on time. 

Check the City of Snellville’s Facebook page and Snellville.org for any major construction updates and lane closure announcements. 

The City of Snellville is soliciting competitive bids from qualified vendors for the resurfacing and paving of City Roads for FY 2025.

There are seven (7) street projects per the contract. There will also be seven (7) more streets that are add alternates that WILL NOT be  part of the contract.  If budget allows they will be awarded accordingly to winning Bidder of the contract. 

Bids should be typed or submitted in ink and returned in a sealed envelope marked on the outside with the project identification bid number and company name. Bids will be received until 2:00 P.M. local time on Thursday May 1st , 2025 at the Snellville City Hall Reception Desk, First Floor, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia 30078.  Any bid received after this date and time will be marked as “late” and disqualified.  On Thursday May 1st , 2025 at 2:05pm, each submitted bid package will be opened by the City Clerk and selected staff. An initial bid tabulation documenting the Bid opening and listing Bidders will be available upon request on the next business day following the date of the Bid opening or viewed on our website at www.snellville.org.

Please visit our BID PAGE for complete information and the bid package.

A creek in the city has been renamed to honor the legacy of a beloved resident. 

Nelson Williams, who most notably served on the city’s Council and Downtown Development Authority, will have a creek named after him that runs near the Greenway Trail behind Northside Medical Center.

Williams Creek flows east, then southeast to Big Haynes Creek. 

“My dad, Nelson Williams, was a native of Snellville and he and my mother, Marilyn, were lifelong residents,” said Williams’ daughter Kathy Bass. “He was active in community affairs in Snellville and served on the City Council as well as many committees during the years. He loved his city and seldom missed a council meeting and was an active advocate for residents of Snellville. Our family is pleased with this recognition of his many hours of volunteer service to the residents of the City of Snellville.”

Williams died in August of 2018. He was 85. He also served on Urban Redevelopment Agency and the Development Authority of Snellville.

The naming of the creek was administered by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The BGN is a federal body created in 1890 and established in its present form by Public Law in 1947 to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government, according to federal documents. The BGN comprises representatives of federal agencies concerned with geographic information, population, ecology, and management of public lands. Sharing its responsibilities with the Secretary of the Interior, the BGN promulgates official geographic feature names with locative attributes as well as principles, policies, and procedures governing the use of domestic names, foreign names, Antarctic names, and undersea feature names. 

The City of Snellville Police Department is offering this class in order to strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation between our citizens and our police department.

More information and the link to the application can be found on the Police Department's CPA page.

(ATLANTA) – The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has announced that the Snellville Police Department is one of 26 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant for the Federal 2025 Fiscal Year. Referred to as a H.E.A.T. grant, Snellville Police Department’s award totals 58,231.68.

The goal of the H.E.A.T. program is to combat crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding, while also increasing seatbelt use and educating the public about traffic safety and the dangers of DUI.

The Snellville Police Department H.E.A.T Unit will use the grant from GOHS to develop and implement strategies to reduce local traffic crashes due to aggressive and dangerous driving behaviors.

“Federal and state crash data show sustained enforcement of traffic laws reduces crashes and saves lives on our roads,” Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said.  “GOHS will continue to partner with state and local law enforcement to implement projects and initiatives designed to protect everyone using our roads and to help reach our goal of zero traffic deaths in Georgia and our nation.”

H.E.A.T. grants fund specialize traffic enforcement units in counties throughout the state. The program was designed to assist Georgia jurisdictions with the highest rates of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities with grants awarded based on impaired driving and speeding data.

“The Snellville Police Department is excited to continue our partnership with the Governor’s Office of
Highway Safety. The grant will enable us to increase our enforcement efforts allowing us to impact
impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and other serious traffic offenses occurring in our city. This
will help us achieve our goal to significantly reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from these violations
while improving the safety on our roadways for the motoring public,” said SPD Chief Greg Perry.

As law enforcement partners in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI campaign and the Click It Or Ticket seatbelt campaigns, the Snellville Police Department will also conduct mobilizations throughout the year in coordination with GOHS’s year-round waves of high visibility patrols, multi-jurisdictional roadchecks and sobriety checkpoints.

For more information about the H.E.A.T. program or any other GOHS campaign, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org or call 404-656-6996.