Bill > SB615

This bill modifies existing Georgia law regarding municipal corporations, specifically focusing on how newly created municipalities, referred to as "qualified municipalities," interact with county services. It clarifies that a "county" can include those involved in metropolitan public transportation systems or those operating their own transit systems that connect to such metropolitan systems. For qualified municipalities established by local law after January 1, 2022, the bill ensures they will continue to receive police and law enforcement services from their respective counties as long as property owners within the municipality pay property taxes to the county's general fund. The county cannot charge these municipalities separately for these services beyond the existing property tax, nor can it increase the millage rate for these municipalities inconsistently with unincorporated areas. Counties can create special service districts for police services, funded by property owners in both the qualified municipality and the county, but these rates must be applied equally. Qualified municipalities have the option to opt out of county police services. The bill also addresses utility services, allowing qualified municipalities to continue receiving water, sewer, and storm water services from the county at the same fees as unincorporated areas, and it prohibits agreements that force these municipalities to take ownership of certain storm water infrastructure, like detention ponds, as a condition of receiving these services; the county will maintain responsibility for such infrastructure unless otherwise agreed upon. Finally, the bill makes these provisions applicable to any qualified municipality at any time.