Lawrenceville passes $182 million annual budget

The Lawrenceville City Council recently voted to adopt an annual $182-million Fiscal Year 2021 budget focused on investment in four key areas: development/redevelopment, the arts, infrastructure and human capital investment. (Courtesy City of Lawrenceville)

The Lawrenceville City Council recently voted to adopt an annual $182-million Fiscal Year 2021 budget focused on investment in four key areas: development/redevelopment, the arts, infrastructure and human capital investment. (Courtesy City of Lawrenceville)

The Lawrenceville City Council recently voted to adopt an annual $182-million Fiscal Year 2021 budget focused on investment in four key areas: development/redevelopment, the arts, infrastructure and human capital investment.

Mayor David Still stated, “Lawrenceville has one of the largest municipal budgets in the metropolitan Atlanta area and the council and I take that very seriously… This budget is fiscally responsible, with conservative measures based on potential declining revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

While no millage rate increase is expected for 2020, a nominal millage rate increase is expected in 2021. The approved budget includes $15 million for redevelopment and economic development to bring higher wage jobs along the Ga. 316 corridor. Additional investments will be made to redevelop aging and/or crime ridden properties.

The city anticipates the opening of the expanded $31-million Lawrenceville Performing Arts Center, funded through SPLOST and revenue bonds, and its partnership with Gwinnett County Public Schools for the Gwinnett Fine Arts Conservatory at Central Gwinnett High School, a total $2.5 million investment in FY2021.

Other highlights include $5 million to provide approximately 400 public parking spaces in the downtown area, $2 million for the addition of staff in the police and streets departments, and an overall 7 percent increase to city employee salaries.

Additional details and to view the full budget presentation, visit the agendas and minutes section at http://www.lawrencevillega.org.