Lawmakers will reconsider city creation and expansion process

Georgia lawmakers are getting ready to review how the Legislature should go about approving new cities, annexations and deannexations.

Leaders of both the state Senate and House have appointed legislators to serve on study committees that will meet in the coming months and issue findings by Dec. 1.

The issue is particularly relevant in DeKalb County, where several new cities and annexations have been proposed.

Voters will consider forming the cities of LaVista Hills and Tucker in November’s election after bills for their incorporation passed the Legislature in April. Annexation proposals for the cities of Atlanta, Decatur and Avondale Estates weren’t approved and may come up again next year. Legislation was also introduced to create the cities of Stonecrest and Greenhaven.

The study committees will try to set standardized rules for incorporating in hopes of avoiding the complex process that has surrounded previous efforts to pass bills.

“After seeing several cityhood bills go through different processes during the 2015 legislative session, it became apparent that we need to review the procedures for annexation, deannexation and incorporation to ensure the process is clear and in the best interest of the citizens,” said Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, the chairwoman of the Senate committee.

The Senate study committee will also include Sens. Charlie Bethel, R-Dalton; Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville; Fran Millar, R-Atlanta; and John Albers, R-Roswell.