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SNELLVILLE — Residents will be receiving their city property tax bills directly from City Hall after Sept. 15. 

Due to Unforeseen circumstances in the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s Office, the city is now handling all property tax billing and collections.  

Residents are asked to review all new information on tax bills and take special notice that it is important to forward your Real Estate Property Tax bill to your mortgage company as the city is not able to do so. 

“We would like to thank our citizens for having understanding and cooperating with the city regarding this change,” City Manager Butch Sanders said. “We can assure you, your bills and the collection of your taxes will be handled accurately.” 

If a property sale or purchase occurred after Jan. 1, 2021, the property taxes may have been prorated during the real estate closing. For any questions regarding tax liability in a sale/purchase year, contact the closing attorney. Residents with an escrow account must bear responsibility to ensure the taxes are paid. Bills are not mailed directly to mortgage companies. 

Payments can be made by mailing a check, cashier’s check, or money order to Snellville City Hall, Attn: Property Tax, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville GA 30078, or residents can pay in person at City Hall or online at www.snellville.org.

Payment is due by December 15. 

Call 770-985-3500 or visit www.snellville.org/property-tax for more information.  

Once a resident applies for a Homestead Exemption through Gwinnett County, any exemption that is applicable to the city will automatically post to your account with the city. Any information regarding taxes billed and collected from 2020 and back contact the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner at 770-822-8800. 

SNELLVILLE — City officials are proud to announce the hiring of Matthew Pepper as Assistant City Manager.

Pepper comes to Snellville after having served as the Manager for the City of Oxford in Newton County. He previously worked for the City of Alpharetta’s Economic Development Office.

“Snellville has a reputation for being a well-managed city,” Pepper said. “I want to do my part to help the city continue providing excellent customer service to our residents, build and maintain long-term partnerships with community stakeholders, and keep Snellville a great place to live. I’m excited about the opportunity to work for the city.”

Pepper earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia.

“Matt has the right background for what we need in Snellville and he will be a great addition to our staff and community,” said City Manager Butch Sanders. “I am excited he and his family have chosen our community to call home and I believe he can have a long and successful career here.”

Pepper said his interest in public service began as a child when he became involved with the Boy Scouts of America.

“Consequently, I spent a lot of time participating in community service projects with local civic and religious leaders,” he said. “It was an awesome experience to see firsthand how individuals from different backgrounds worked together to serve their community. I knew I wanted a profession where I could continue serving the public. I’m happy to report that I have found it.”

Pepper is married with two children and said he enjoys traveling, reading and baking with his wife.

He can be reached at mpepper@snellville.org.

Soon pedestrians and bikers alike will be able to safely and easily travel from The Grove at Towne Center to T.W. Briscoe Park

Funding for the second phase of the city’s Greenway Trail was approved by Mayor and Council, Monday.

“This is the award of a bid to build phase two of our trail system which will build a trail from City Hall to Briscoe Park,” Mayor Barbara Bender said, “So we will have a trail from our downtown and our city park.”

Alpharetta-based Tri Scapes, Inc. was the lowest bidder with a bid of $606,367.40 to create a trail from the corner of Oak Road and Highway 78 to T.W. Briscoe Park off of Lenora Church Road. The new trail way will link to phase one of the project which runs through the Historic Cemetery, behind Wisteria Drive and into The Grove at Towne Center.

The cost of the project will be covered by $385,000 in Community Development Block Grant money and Special Local Option Sales Tax funds.

Last year, Mayor and Council approved a $1.1 million contract to the Dickerson Group for Phase 1 of the Greenway Trail.

Phase one of the project, the Towne Center Spine, is a .7-mile trail running parallel to Wisteria Drive along a mostly dry creek bed. Phase two of the project, the expected to start within a month, will travel from Oak Road to Main Street on the side of Church on Main – the former First Baptist Church Snellville - to Church Street to Fremont Street. It will then connect to a path off Fremont Street into the Briscoe Park public use area. Phase two could be completed within nine months, City Manager Butch Sanders said.

For the future, the Greenway Trail Plan also calls for a 4.5-mile path from Snellville to Lawrenceville mostly following North Road and Old Snellville Highway, providing an additional connection to Alexander Park, outside Snellville city limits.

There are also plans for a Main Street West / US-78 trail. At almost 5 miles in length, this is the longest and most ambitious of the greenways being planned by the city and Gwinnett County for the area. The goal is to give Snellville and the South Gwinnett area a connection to the existing trail network around Stone Mountain. This is a key connection for the future, as it links the growing Gwinnett County greenway network to the web of trails and greenways in the rest of Atlanta Metro and beyond.

View The Greenway Trail Master Plan.

Mayor and Council awarded the city’s annual street resurfacing, patching and milling projects to Snellville-based E.R. Snell Contractors, Monday.

The streets scheduled for the annual project are: Summit Chase Drive, Masters Lane, Summit Links and Fountain Drive.

The contract of $694,895.78 will come from Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant Funds, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax monies and the city’s Public Works Capital Paving Expense line.

If additional funds are remaining after the scheduled road work, Englewood Way, Street Deville and Hugh Drive may see repairs.

North Road to be closed from Oak Road to Wisteria Drive Aug. 30-Nov. 15.

City officials were notified recently that a small stretch of North Road will be closed until Nov. 15 to make way for construction of The Grove at Towne Center.

Construction crews will close North Road from Oak Road to Wisteria Drive as heavy machinery will be moving in and out of the site and construction of the multilevel parking deck takes place.

A flagman will be at the closure full-time to adjust

barricades, flag precast deliveries, and keep local business traffic flowing.

Snellville officials thank you for your patience as this development takes shape.

SNELLVILLE — Mayor and Council adopted a millage rate of 4.588 mills for the seventh consecutive year Monday.

Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, the city did see new tax revenue growth of $31.29 million over last year. Just four years ago, new growth was on $8.6 million.

Because the proposed levy is slightly higher than the Rollback Millage Rate, Mayor and Council had to hold three public hearings. Citizens did not speak at any hearing.

Last month, Mayor and Council unanimously adopted the staff proposed $13.61 million General Fund budget covering July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.

The budget allows the city to maintain a competitive salary structure in all service areas and addresses infrastructure needs in several areas: $750,000 is budgeted for street resurfacing, needed stormwater repairs/replacement is funded at $950,800 and sanitation/recycling services are maintained with a subsidy of $800,000. Capital equipment spending includes state-mandated election equipment of $53,000, a new dump truck for public works of $70,000 and the aforementioned $385,000 for Phase 2 of the city Greenway which will extend from City Hall to Briscoe Park.

REQUEST FOR SEALED BID - RESURFACING & PAVING FOR FY 2021-2022

PW210721

Wednesday July 21, 2021

The City of Snellville is soliciting competitive bids from qualified vendors for the resurfacing and paving of City Roads for FY 2021-2022.

Please visit the Bid Page for more information.

The City of Snellville lost a great friend and volunteer Tuesday as Marcia “Marcy” Pharris passed away.

She was 77.

“Marcy Pharris attended more city meetings than most councilmembers,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “Always right there in the second row ready to give us her opinion on issues.  She was an outstanding support and advocate for the police department and was involved in almost every event put on in the city. Our own little Elf on the Shelf has earned her heavenly rest. She will be greatly missed.”

Pharris was the recipient of the city’s first "Volunteer of the Year" award in 2011, which then became the Marcy Pharris Volunteer of the Year Award, given annually to those who exemplify an outstanding volunteer.

“She was a dedicated volunteer and was involved with so many boards and organizations in the City of Snellville,” said Snellville Tourism and Trade Executive Director Kelly McAloon. “Marcy's love was supporting the Snellville police and she was always trying to find ways to raise money to help support their needs for equipment or a K-9 when needed. We will miss our sweet friend! She was an inspiration to all! Rest in peace Marcy!”

Pharris volunteered for many civic organizations in the city including the Heritage Center's H2U at Eastside medical Center, the Snellville Farmers' Market, Snellville Tourism and Trade Association among others.

Pharris served on the city’s Planning Commission from 1991-1994. She has served on the city’s Board of Appeals since 1995 and was the board’s chairwoman since August 2002. She was president and treasurer of the Snellville Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association and a volunteer poll worker for City of Snellville elections

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday at the Snellville Historical Cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Snellville Citizens Police Academy – Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1203, Snellville, GA, 30078

Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com.

Request for Qualifications/Proposals
Property Maintenance
For
Cobblestone Office Park/Downtown Development Authority of Snellville, GA

 

Project:                                              Property Maintenance for Cobblestone Office Park
                                                            Snellville, Georgia

Entity:                                                Downtown Development Authority of Snellville

                        Send or Deliver All Responses to: (If sent to the PO Box, responses
                        must be in the PO Box by Monday morning, July 19, 10 AM.

                                                            2386 Clower Street, C-102 (Management Office)
                                                            Snellville, GA 30078

                                                            PO Box 1414
                                                            Snellville, GA 30078 

Submission Deadline:                        11:00 AM, Monday, July 19, 2021

Interview Time and Location:         Cobblestone Office Park
                                                            July 20, 2021
                                                            1pm-4pm

Property Manager:                           Property Manager
                                                            770-978-0310
                                                            cdonclower@gmail.com

 

1. Intent of Request for Qualifications

The Downtown Development Authority of Snellville, GA (Owner) is seeking qualifications from a professional property maintenance company or individual with experience in property maintenance, building construction, and construction administration/supervision and who has a working knowledge of electrical, plumbing and general building maintenance.

 

1. Scope of Work

The DDA is seeking a Maintenance Tech or Maintenance Company to provide the following services. Not all needed services are listed.  The contractor is to provide all tools for performance of the work.

 The following is a listing of some, but not all, of the representative services to be provided:

• Trips to Home Depot or other suppliers for materials or supplies. 
• Maintain cleanliness of parking lot/dumpster, weekly building inspection, cigarette urn clean out, branch/debris clean up after storm. Sweep and blow off walkways.
• Spray for weeds, treat for fire ants, treat for flying pests. Removes pests and cobwebs from buildings and mailbox areas. 
• Be a key holder to meet with all contractors before/during/after hours for regular maintenance and emergency calls as needed for Property Manager. 
• Assist in overseeing exterior upgrades of buildings (onsite). 
• Ability to climb ladder and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Assist Property Manager to oversee/double check interior construction work by construction contractor.  To include: opening spaces to be viewed for lease.
• Tenant sign installation/removal.
• Fire extinguisher Installation and drawings for Fire Marshal.
• General maintenance of suites/buildings:  re-attach shutters, paint, sheetrock repair/patch, vacuuming and cleaning of carpets (floors, restrooms, dumpster).
• Painting of office suites for lease/upgrade.
• Light electrical installation and repair.  Bulb & ballast replacement in common areas and C-102, Reset a breaker, remove/replace switch plate covers, replace a plug, fix a light fixture, replace emergency entrance lights & replace exterior light bulbs.
• Light plumbing work (toilets/leaky faucets), i.e.: toilet or sink work. 
• Ability to check a HVAC for frozen lines, breaker trip, damper adjustment, and thermostat issues.  Ability to blow out a condensation line would be helpful. 

 

1. Statements of Qualifications

Statements of Qualifications should be self-explanatory and provide a straightforward presentation of the company or individual capabilities and qualifications.  Elaborate brochures and other promotional type materials are not desirable.  The format shall address and respond to each requirement of the RFQ as outlined below.

1. Brief history of the company, including ownership and key management.
2. Location of office(s) that will be involved in these services.
3. Description of the individual or team to include name, responsibilities, and experience statements of key personnel that will be assigned to provide the services.
4. Description of how the proposed team, or individual, will be organized and responsibilities assigned for the services to be provided.
5. Description of similar services provided, including client references with contact information.
6. Fee proposal for the services to include hourly rates for each type of service and personnel to be assigned to the project. The fee proposal shall be provided in a separate sealed envelope and identified as “Fee Proposal for Services.”  The DDA will consider fee proposals only after making a selection for interviews, conducting interviews, and ranking the firms based on its evaluation of their qualifications. 
7. Statements of qualifications shall be mailed or hand delivered in sealed envelopes, identified as “Qualifications Statement for Cobblestone Property Maintenance” on or before 11:00 AM Monday, July 19, 2021 to Property Manager.  Statements of Qualifications received after the deadline will not be considered.  The DDA, by way of the RFQ, does not commit itself to award a contract or pay any costs associated in the preparation of the proposal.  The DDA further reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Statements of Qualifications received or to cancel the entire RFQ solicitation.  The Statement of Qualification must be signed by an official authorized to bind the firm to a contract and include a statement that the Statement of Qualifications is subject to the conditions set forth in this RFQ and is binding for a period of sixty (60) days from the submittal deadline.

 

1. Selection, award process, and schedule

The DDA may select the company it determines to be the most qualified and responsive firm based on the evaluation of the Statement of Qualifications and interviews.  The DDA reserves the right to reject any and all responses in whole or in part; to re-advertise if necessary; and to waive any irregularities or technicalities in responses whenever such rejection or waiver is in the best interests of the DDA.

The DDA’s determination of the most qualified and responsive firm will be based on its evaluation of the Statement of Qualifications and interviews, if conducted.  The DDA will act, at its sole discretion, in what it considers to be in the best interest of the DDA.  The DDA will be the sole judge in determining the most qualified firm.

Factors to be considered in the evaluation include:

• The capability of the proposer to deliver the proposed services, as demonstrated on recent projects of similar size, scope, and complexity.
• Responses from a minimum of three references.
• Qualifications of the individual or team for the services required by this RFQ.
• Intangibles that best demonstrate the proposer’s ability to serve the need of Cobblestone Office Park.

The DDA will review all Statements of Qualifications submitted and intends to schedule any interviews on Tuesday, July 20.  Individuals and companies selected for interviews will be notified of interview by close of business July 19.  The time allotted to each firm for presentation and interview shall not exceed forty-five (45) minutes.  Q&A will be within this allotted time. Interviews will be scheduled, if the Board determines to do so, on July 20 between 1-4 PM.

Upon completion of the evaluation process by the DDA the firms will be ranked in descending order of recommendation.  Negotiations will then be initiated with the highest-ranking firm.  In the event that satisfactory fees and services cannot be reached, the DDDA will formally terminate negotiations in writing and enter into negotiations in turn with the next highest-ranking firm.  The process will continue until mutually agreed upon fees and services are established.  The contract will be awarded by the Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority.  The Board reserves the right to reject all proposals based on its review.

 

1. Questions regarding the RFQ

Questions regarding the RFQ process should be directed to Property Manager, at 770.978.0310 or cdonclower@gmail.com.

 

1. Affirmative action

The firm shall take affirmative action in complying with all state and federal requirements concerning fair employment, and the treatment of all employees, without regard to, or discrimination by reason of, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or physical handicap.

 

1. Hold Harmless

The respondent shall defend and indemnify and shall hold the DDA harmless from and against any and all claims of action for damage and loss to any entity, person, or property and governmental penalties or other assessments arising out of or caused by the respondent’s operations and activities in connection with the services performed by the respondent.  The respondent shall defend and indemnify and shall hold said DDA harmless from and against any and all claims or actions, for damages or loss to any entity, persons, or property arising or caused by respondent’s activities.

 

1. Insurance

Indicate your ability to meet the following insurance requirements:

• Please note that all responders shall be required to have worker’s comp insurance and general liability insurance.

 

End of Request for Qualifications

The City of Snellville does hereby announce that the 2021 millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the Snellville City Hall Council Chambers, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia 30078  on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the digest and levy for the past five years.

	SNELLVILLE	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021 Proposed
	REAL & PERSONAL	743,360,810	792,397,130	855,885,966	917,001,350	970,743,800	1,032,919,210
	MOTOR VEHICLES	16,776,540	12,055,660	8,859,250	7,016,160	5,767,350	4,773,670
	MOBILE HOMES	0	0	0	0	0	0
	TIMBER	0	0	0	0	0	0
	HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT	325,000	202,820	281,003	389,355	471,690	44,226
	GROSS DIGEST	760,462,350	804,655,610	865,026,219	924,406,865	976,982,840	1,037,737,106
	LESS EXEMPTIONS	20,028,376	20,331,596	20,742,980	21,100,345	22,268,564	21,929,908
	NET DIGEST	740,433,974	784,324,014	844,283,239	903,306,520	954,714,276	1015807198
	NET MILLAGE	4.588 MILLS	4.588 MILLS	4.588 MILLS	4.588 MILLS	4.588 MILLS	4.588 MILLS
	NET TAXES LEVIED	3,397,111	3,598,479	3,873,572	4,144,370	4,380,229	4,660,523
	NET TAXES $ INCREASE/DECREASE	191,118	201,368	275,093	270,799	235,859	280,294
	NET TAXES % INCREASE/DECREASE	5.96%	5.93%	7.64%	6.99%	5.69%	6.40%

 

The Mayor and Council of the City of Snellville will hold public hearings on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 11:30 a.m., Monday, July 12, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. and Monday, July 26, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. to hear public comments on the proposed millage rate and to adopt the 2021 millage rate on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. at Snellville City Hall Council Chambers.

Some insignificant differences in figures may occur since data was obtained from County and City records.  These figures reflect billing adjustments to the digest and interim billing.  All concerned citizens are invited to attend the meetings to be held at the Snellville City Hall Council Chambers located at 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Monday, July 26, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.  These hearings will satisfy requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-13-28