Georgia Counties That Own, Operate or Maintain Traffic Control Devices and Traffic Management Systems Must be Members of GA 811 by January 1, 2024
Effective January 1, 2024, counties that own, operate, or maintain traffic control devices and traffic management systems must have joined Georgia 811 and begin locating these devices and management systems when other utilities excavate within the public’s right-of-way. Depending on their contracts/agreements with the Georgia Department of Transportation, counties may also be required for locating traffic control devices and management systems on state roads within their jurisdiction, thus also requiring membership with Georgia 811.
Please click here for important information on this new state requirement.
Please be Aware of Legislation Effective July 1st
Many bills impacting counties that passed during the 2023 Session will become effective on July 1, 2023. Review ACCG’s Final ACCG Legislative Update to see the bills that will become law soon.
Gov. Kemp Announces $83.5M in Community Public Safety Grant Awards
On Thursday, June 8, Gov. Brian Kemp announced preliminary grant awards totaling more than $83.5 million for 118 qualified projects to improve community-level public safety measures and address law enforcement staffing challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to access a list of recipients.
Funding Available for Law Enforcement Agencies
The Qualified Law Enforcement Foundation Tax Credit program is a tremendous opportunity for county law enforcement agencies to receive external revenue to fund salary supplements, equipment costs, and certain costs of co-responder programs for their designated agency.
Halfway through the first year of the program, only $3,019,500 of the $75 million available has been allocated. There is still a lot money available for counties to take advantage of this program. Only 14 out of the 159 counties are connected to qualified law enforcement foundations. Each county will have to be connected to a qualified law enforcement foundation to be eligible to receive these funds. Click here to access eligibility requirements and application information.
Local Salaries Tied to Superior Court Judges Compensation
The State of Georgia’s FY 2024 budget includes $2,000 cost-of-living adjustments for most state employees. As in previous years, this state COLA has financial impacts on counties and county officials. State law generally provides that counties are obligated to pay the same COLAs to various elected officials: county commissioners, sheriffs, superior court clerks, tax commissioners, probate judges, magistrate judges, and most coroners (those in counties under 35,000 in population) starting January 1, 2024.
However, some counties have county-specific state laws (“local acts”) tying the compensation of some county officials to the total compensation of their superior court judges. The FY 2024 state budget also awarded superior court judges the same $2,000 (state paid) COLA. If your county has such a local act, the obligation to increase the pay of those other officials may begin July 1, 2023, which is the date the $2,000 COLA paid to superior court judges by the state will begin. ACCG strongly recommends that county officials consult with the county attorney regarding the correct commencement date of pay increases for officials in your county.
ACCG anticipates issuing the 2024 Salary Guide for County Officials later this month, once official revised county population figures are published by the state.
Notice of TAVT Rate Change to 7%
Beginning on July 1, 2023, the title ad valorem tax (TAVT) rate will change to 7% of the fair market value of the motor vehicle. The previous rate of 6.6% established by the General Assembly in the 2019-2020 legislative session is about to expire. The new rate of 7% will apply to motor vehicles purchased or leased on or after July 1, 2023, and titled in Georgia. For additional information, please see the Department of Revenue’s notice regarding this change.
Register for the Georgia Environmental Conference
The 16th Annual Georgia Environmental Conference will take place on August 23 – 25 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Glynn County. The Georgia Environmental Conference is the state’s largest, most comprehensive and diverse educational opportunity regarding environmental issues. Over the course of the three-day event, attendees will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge and share ideas and concerns in Georgia and across the Southeast region. More information can be found here.
