Gwinnett County’s oldest city wants a new charter — and for its mayor to have a vote.
The Lawrenceville City Council voted last week to ask the Georgia General Assembly for a new version of the city’s charter, the document that defines its governmental structure, powers and procedures. Most of the changes proposed would merely be formal adoptions of amendments that have passed since the current charter was adopted 30-plus years ago.
Also included, however, would be a provision empowering the city’s mayor to vote “on all matters brought before the City Council.”
As currently constructed, Lawrenceville’s mayor only votes to break ties when the city’s four council members find themselves at a stalemate.
Lawrenceville has worked with members of Gwinnett's delegation to the Georgia General Assembly, and the charter modification is expected to be presented sometime during the legislative session that started Monday.
Once introduced, it would have to be approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives, then get the signature of Gov. Nathan Deal.
“Our Council has worked hard to ensure that the written authority for the City of Lawrenceville is an accurate reflection of our operating procedures,” Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson said in a news release. “We believe that the adoption of the proposed new Charter will be in the best interest of the citizens of Lawrenceville, as well as the operational affairs of the City.”
