Saturday, May 11, 2013
FAA chief makes an announcement on funding.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, May 11
The control tower at Gwinnett County-owned Briscoe Field will remain open at least through September, according to a Federal Aviation Administration announcement Friday (May 10). FAA Director Ray LaHood said in a statement: ... the recently enacted Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 will allow the FAA to transfer sufficient funds to end employee furloughs and keep the 149 low activity contract towers originally slated for closure in June open for the remainder of fiscal year 2013. The federal government's fiscal year ends Sept. 30. Briscoe Field's control tower, which is maintained by the FAA, had been among 149 towers nationally that were slated to be closed under federal budget cuts known as sequestration. Citing economic and safety …
Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Monday, April 29, 2013
For safety and financial reasons, the county wants to join an existing legal matter with Spokane, Wash.
Citing economic and safety concerns, Gwinnett County officials are seeking to join an existing legal effort that would keep Briscoe Field's control towers from being closed. Officials announced Monday (April 29) that they have filed "a motion to intervene" in the Spokane (Wash.) Airport Board's legal action vs. the FAA. The case, which is before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, seeks judicial review of the FAA’s decision to defund federal contract towers. “Gwinnett County is seeking to join in this action as our interests are aligned with those of Spokane and other similarly situated airports with contract towers. While we are seeking to join in the Spokane action, we are also reviewing and monitoring the Reducing Flight Delays Act…
Saturday, April 6, 2013
All 149 air traffic control towers will continue operating until June 15.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, April 6
(Editor's note: the following is a press release issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.) The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that it will delay the closures of all 149 federal contract air traffic control towers until June 15. Last month, the FAA announced it would eliminate funding for these towers as part of the agency’s required $637 million budget cuts under sequestration. This additional time will allow the agency to attempt to resolve multiple legal challenges to the closure decisions. As part of the tower closure implementation process, the agency continues to consult with airports and operators and review appropriate risk mitigations. Extending the transition …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
State-required notices to be mailed out April 5 do not reflect 2013 service districts.
Updated 8:03 a.m. Notices of current assessments for residential and commercial property owners in Suwanee and Gwinnett will be mailed out on Friday (April 5). But don't pay or estimate your taxes on it. Factors associated with the Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) settlement could cause confusion. In a news release, Gwinnett County officials say the notices that are required by state law do not reflect the 2013 service districts that were implemented as a result of the SDS settlement with the cities. County officials said the new millage rate will be set in the summer, after assessments and appeals are completed in the spring. Rates will be determined by a property’s location, which determines what services are provided by the county. …
Friday, March 29, 2013
The county, the cities and Gwinnett and Buford schools will get revenue from the new ad valorem tax on vehicle sales.
The new "title tax" on vehicle sales that went into effect in Georgia on March 1 means that Gwinnett County, its 16 cities and the Gwinnett County and Buford schools have to collaborate on sharing that revenue. With the tax being so new, it's still unclear how much revenue each governing body and school system will receive. However, it means that a new intergovernmental agreement is necessary between the cities and the county as to how to allocate the money. Gwinnett's Board of Commissioners approved the new deal on March 5, and Suwanee voted it in on March 26. -- How do you feel about Georgia's new "title tax"? Share your thoughts in the comments below. In summary, according to Randy Meacham of the Gwinnett Municipal Association: The …
Monday, March 25, 2013
Centuries-old homes dot the landscape of Gwinnett County; you just need to know where to look!
"History of Gwinnett" is a column that will run once a week. We will feature historic places, people and events. If you have any suggestions for future columns, email Crystal.Huskey@patch.com. Gwinnett County has a rich, long and interesting history. Stop by these historic homes and landmarks for an up-close and personal experience. Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville After a trio of bootleggers burned down the courthouse in Lawrenceville in 1871 -- because it's easier to just burn down the whole building instead of going inside and stealing the evidence, apparently -- Gwinnett County officials rebuilt the current historic courthouse in 1885. (Ironically, the evidence the bootleggers wanted to get rid of survived the fire. Other historic…
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The current sales tax expires after this year. Voters must approve an extension, but they need a chance. Share your thoughts.
The attached graphic from Gwinnettforum.com shows how Gwinnett SPLOST funds have been distributed to the cities. --- It has been less than a year since voters in metro Atlanta soundly rejected a transportation sales tax. Now, Gwinnett County voters may face a similar choice in 2013. The current countywide Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program expires at the end of the year. If voters want new projects in transportation, public safety or new buildings, they'll have to vote "yes." But will voters get the chance? County leaders have made no final decision, and that decision is not theirs alone. Leaders of Gwinnett cities must be in accord with county leaders on how SPLOST monies would be spent before such a vote can take place. -- Do…
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Senior citizens and key intersections are beneficiaries.
Gwinnett County on Tuesday (March 19) approved funds that will provide essential transportation for senior citizens. The Board of Commissioners approved $158,768 for a six-month contract with state officials to provide transport services for seniors, for such things as medical visits and meals at senior centers. The approval runs through June 30. In other matters Tuesday, commissioners: -- What do you think about these improvements? Share your thoughts in the comments below. See also:
Saturday, March 9, 2013
The Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner's office is bracing for an expected increase in the number of automobile owners who may appeal their car's appraised value.
Georgia's new "title tax" law, which went into effect March 1, is creating an unexpected expense for Gwinnett County. The county is facing a possible increase in the number of appeals by car buyers who are seeking a reduction in the value of their newly purchased automobile. Car buyers purchasing a vehicle beginning the first day of March must pay a title tax of 6.5 percent of the value of the vehicle. This new tax replaces the annual ad valorem "birthday tax" for cars purchased after this date. The new tax is accessed on any vehicle, new or used. According to an AJC report, Gwinnett's Chief Appraiser Steve Pruitt said he expects a substantial increase in the number of appeals. Pruitt said his office generally sees some 100 to 120 appeals …
Steve Burns
8:17 am on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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