Judge OKs SDS Agreement Between Gwinnett, Cities

It took three years for Gwinnett County and its 15 cities to reach an agreement on a Service Delivery Strategy (SDS). Once they did, the presiding judge took just two days to approve it.

Gwinnett officials announced Thursday that Judge David Barrett of Blairsville has approved the agreement that was reached Tuesday between Gwinnett County and cities in the Gwinnett Municipal Association (GwMA).

“I am pleased that we were finally able to come to an agreement among ourselves rather than have to either abide by the trial court’s ruling or continue the lengthy and uncertain appeal process,” said Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash in a news release. “The settlement is much preferable to the trial court ruling.”

“We are thrilled to get this matter behind us so we can focus on other important business,” commented District 1 Commission Chairman Shirley Lasseter, whose district includes Duluth.

The SDS dispute agreement announced Tuesday calls for the county to pay approximately $28 million to the cities both up front and over a period of seven years. Also, it establishes four service districts, rather than the eight required in the judge's ruling that came in September.

The judge's approval clears the way for payments to begin. Also, the approval means it's just a matter of paperwork before Gwinnett Police and police departments in the cities can regain the use of radar and laser to track speeders. The Duluth Police Department and other police agencies will have to apply to the state to reacquire the ability to use radar guns and laser.

The dispute arose in 2009 when the parties could not come to terms, and the county sued the cities. At issue was taxation and provision of services. The cities contended that they should not have to pay for services they already provide, such as police. The judge agreed in a ruling favoring the cities last fall.