Gwinnett Swamp Update

Word on the street is that Gwinnett County tax commissioner Tiffany Porter apparently feels she deserves to personally pocket over $100,000 for using county employees to collect city property taxes. Get that- she seems to think there is nothing wrong with taking money from taxpayers and putting it in her pocket. (Some people call it legal theft because state law allows tax commissioners to personally profit from using county resources. For details and background click the link- https://georgianewsdai.wpengine.com/a-swamp-grows-in-gwinnett-county/ )

Eight cities in Gwinnett contract with the county to collect their property taxes. In years past, previous tax commissioners charged a reasonable fee, but Porter wants to at least double or triple the fee (the percentage increase varies from city to city) by charging a $2.00 commission that goes into her pocket.

To address the issue the mayors and city attorneys have been meeting to discuss a counter proposal. Apparently those discussions have not led to a successful counter proposal as Porter has yet to change her position or even entertain a compromise.

It appears that the only roadblock in Porter’s plan is the Gwinnett County board of commissioners (BOC). It seems that the BOC has to approve the the tax commissioner charging a collection fee or “commission”. If the BOC approves Porter’s plan, it gives them a black eye. Porter is a Democrat as are all BOC members, most of whom campaigned on fiscal responsibility. If they approve Porter’s proposal, that’s pretty convincing evidence that their campaign promises were little more than empty claims. (Gwinnett’s Democrat legislators will also be in line for a black eye unless they come out publicly against Porter’s plan, as some have.)

Hopefully, the BOC members- Nicole Hendrickson, (Chair) Kirkland, Carden, (District 1), Ben Ku, (District 2) Jasper Watkins, (District 3) Marlene Fosque (District 4) will do the right thing. If you’d like to encourage them do do so, you can email the commissioners at the following addresses-

  • Nicole.Hendrickson@gwinnettcounty.com
  • Kirkland.Carden@gwinnettcounty.com
  • Ben.Ku@gwinnettcounty.com
  • Jasper.Watkins@gwinnettcounty.com
  • Marlene.Fosque@gwinnettcounty.com

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