January, 2008

A Note from Mike

Hello, Everyone:

Now that the holiday season is over, my fellow county commissioners and I are already back at work, and are looking forward to a good 2008. Last Wednesday, we passed the 2008 county budget, marking another year without the need for a tax increase for county operations. You can read more about the budget below.

I am proud of the county's many accomplishments during 2007, including the start of construction of the Sugarloaf Parkway extension and the Highway 78 widening, and the upcoming completion of the Highway 20 widening which will bring traffic relief to the Grayson and Snellville areas. The county also opened its new animal welfare center last year, providing a better environment for the adoption and care of pets.

Commissioners also approved some significant improvements to the county's Buffer, Landscape and Tree ordinance that will result in the preservation of the county's existing trees when property is developed. The previous version allowed developers to cut down existing trees, and replace them with much smaller ones that would take years to grow to the size of the trees that were cut down. The new revision places a priority on keeping existing trees, and should result in a greener county in the future.

In addition to helping elect a new United States President in 2008, Gwinnett voters will also have the opportunity to decide who they would like for county commission chairman, and commissioners for District 1 and District 3. I announced in October that I will be running for reelection as District 3 commissioner in November.

While the election may seem to be a long way away, I am already making plans to visit with residents and let voters know about my accomplishments during my first term, and my plans for a second one. If you would like to help, use the volunteer form on my website to let me know. You can also make a financial contribution using PayPal.

I am always interested in the opinions of District 3 residents. If you have any concerns you think I should know about, come by one of my "Meetings with Mike," (see the schedule below), contact me by email at mike.beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com, or call my office at 770-822-7003. I hope to hear from you soon.

Mike

District 3 Goals for 2008

Gwinnett County commissioners recently returned from their annual retreat.  It’s an important three day session where we have an opportunity to hear from department heads about the issues affecting the county, and for each commissioner to express his or her goals for the upcoming year.  I would like to tell you about some of the goals I have for District 3.

Gwinnett has been fortunate to be able to use funds from the SPLOST sales tax to construct new facilities for our residents.  For 2008, I would like to start planning for four new projects in District 3:

• Finding a location for a new library serving the Harbins area.
• Developing a new indoor aquatic center to serve East Gwinnett.
• Constructing a championship cross-country course at Tribble Mill Park that could be used by our high school students for practice and competitions.
• Opening the new Grayson Police Precinct ahead of schedule.

Transportation Improvements

Improving transportation is a big concern.  This year, I would like to start developing an extension of Ronald Reagan Parkway to Interstate 85 from its end at Pleasant Hill Road.  This is going to be an expensive project, because the proposed road passes through both residential and environmentally sensitive areas. For this reason, the extension will probably have to be constructed as with a public private partnership. The existing part of the parkway will remain as is.

I also want to work with Federal officials to build a new interchange at Interstate 85 and Gravel Springs Road.  There is a long term plan to create an interchange at the intersection, however increasing traffic in the area means we should start construction sooner rather than later. 

With the start of construction of the Sugarloaf Parkway extension, it’s time to do a thorough study of traffic patterns along the parkway between SR 20 and Interstate 85. Conducting the study this year will help us better manage traffic flow once the extension opens.

State Issues

I will be working with our Gwinnett delegation in the state legislature on two issues that are important to county residents. The first is a change in state law that would allow us to require a local ‘registered agent’ for rental property.  Frequently, when our quality of life unit finds violations in rental property, nothing is done, because we can’t contact the property owner. By requiring a local contact for each property, these problems could be resolved more quickly.

I would also like the state to pass a law permitting owners of undeveloped or underdeveloped property to sell the right to develop that property to another property owner, who would then be able to use those rights to increase the density on his land. This would allow the preservation of more green space, and provide an option for longtime landowners to get some money for their property.

County Issues

At the county level, I want to explore modifying the current cell phone tower ordinance to better address the concerns of homeowners reluctant to see towers in their neighborhood, and providers who need to add towers to provide coverage.  Options might include allowing towers to be enclosed in church steeples or other already permitted structures.

The county needs to do everything it can to ensure that it receives all the tax money it is owed.  We lose money each year when people don’t pay property taxes and other fees. For that reason, the county needs to work with our tax commissioner to improve its collections efforts. And, in recognition of the difficult situation many of our citizens are having with mortgages, I would like to have the county conduct a mortgage workshop where residents could explore options including adjustable and interest only mortgages.

I would also like to investigate the possibility of encouraging the development of senior housing in areas that are currently zoned for single family residential homes and are close to shopping and other amenities that seniors are likely to want. With an expected increase in seniors in the future, we need to provide for them in a planned, orderly way.

The drought has taught everyone that we need to use water wisely. I want to continue to investigate the possibility of requiring cisterns to capture runoff from roofs in new construction that could later be used to irrigate landscaping. In exchange for the added cost of constructing the cisterns, developers would not be required to set aside as much land for detention ponds.

Finally, I would like to start a program that would partner the county’s Animal Welfare and Senior Services departments to facilitate the adoption of pets by seniors. Research has shown seniors receive benefits from having pets, and this program would help reduce the number of unwanted animals at the shelter.

Commission Passes 2008 Budget

On Wednesday, January 2nd, Commissioners passed the county's budget for 2008 totaling 1.53 billion dollars. Highlights of the new budget include:

• Funding for additional police officers.
• Increasing the salaries of sheriff's deputies, allowing the county to meet hiring goals and retain experienced employees.
• Money to maintain the county's road construction programs.
• An overall reduction in county expenditures by more than 5%.

Meetings with Mike Winter Schedule

Commissioner Beaudreau is ready to hold his 37th consecutive monthly "Meetings with Mike" in January. This popular program lets District 3 residents have a private discussion with their commissioner in his office once a month on a Saturday morning. If you have a have a question about or an issue with the county or its government, you are welcome to share it with Mike.

In January, Meetings with Mike will be held on Saturday the 12th from 10 AM until Noon at his office on the second floor of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Mike will also meet with residents on February 2nd and March 8th.

Meetings don't require appointments, and are first-come first served.

Note: Dates for Meetings with Mike may change. Check www.MikeBeaudreau.com for late revisions.

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