SNELLVILLE – The Mayor and Council showed their support for a Georgia senate bill, but voiced opposition to another state measure last night.
The Mayor and Council support SB 309, a bill which would authorize the creation of two authorities to issue tax-exempt bonds for pooled financing of local governments to acquire goods, materials, real and personal property, structures and supplies eligible for revenue bond financing pursuant to an intergovernmental contract. The intent is to lower costs to taxpayers by providing a less expensive alternative to finance the same types of projects and equipment currently authorized for multiyear lease, purchase or lease purchase contracts.
Without the measure, smaller cities are at a funding disadvantage and projects like the 2005 construction of Snellville City Hall would have been hindered, city officials said.
The Mayor and Council said they will not support HB 302-SB 172, a bill which would prohibit local governments from regulating "Building design elements" in single- or double-family dwellings.
Building standards proposed to be preempted are as follows:
(A) Exterior building color;
(B) Type or style of exterior cladding material;
(C) Style or materials of roof structures or porches;
(D) Exterior nonstructural architectural ornamentation;
(E) Location or architectural styling of windows and doors, including garage doors;
(F) The number and types of rooms;
(G) The interior layout of rooms; and
(H) Types of foundation structures approved under state minimum standard codes.
The removal of building standards, city officials say, would allow sub-par materials to be used on future dwellings in the city, lessening quality of life for residents.
City officials urged residents to contact their state legislators to give their opinions on the measures.
Those representing Snellville are:
State Sen. Gloria Butler
D-55
Email: gloria.butler@senate.ga.gov
Phone: 404-656-0075
State Sen. P. K. Martin IV
R-9
Email: p.k.martin@senate.ga.gov
Phone: 404-463-6598
State Rep. Brett Harrell
R-106
Email: brett.harrell@house.ga.gov
Phone: 404-656-5103