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Buford proposes 14.50 millage for 2025, certifies candidates and approves project payments
Summary
The commission opened a public hearing on the FY 2026 budget and proposed a 14.50 millage for both Gwinnett and Hall counties, received no public comment, and approved certifications, ordinances and multiple project payments including more than $1.2 million to the stadium contractor.
At its Sept. 8, 2025 meeting the Buford City Commission opened the public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget and the 2025 millage-rate rollback, proposed a 14.50 millage rate for both Gwinnett and Hall counties, and approved a series of administrative actions and project payments.
Chairman Phillip Beard presented an overview of the proposed FY 2026 budget and the City’s proposed millage rate. The Commission proposed a millage rate of 14.50 mills for 2025 for both Gwinnett and Hall counties. The recorded rollback millages in the packet were 12.004 mills for Gwinnett County and 12.099 mills for Hall County; the Commission’s proposal equated to reported property tax increases of 20.79% for Gwinnett County and 19.84% for Hall County over those rollback rates. The audience was offered the opportunity to comment on the millage and budget; the transcript records that the audience did not offer questions or comments.
The Commission then certified unopposed candidates for the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal election and ratified the election superintendent’s action. The body approved a Special Master recommendation for Rezoning Plat #712/#Z-25-15 (Dale G. Brown), transferred several parcels to the Downtown Development Authority, adopted a Field House rental policy for Phillip Beard Stadium, adopted Gwinnett Environmental Health updates (subject to City Attorney approval), amended the Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance to provide a base of operation and toilet facility requirements, and adopted a Hotel/Motel Ordinance to provide for quality and safe transient lodging.
On procurement and payments the Commission awarded the landscaping low bid to Ashford Gardeners, Inc. for $128,446.50 (I-985/SR20 interchange landscaping), authorized payment of $52,600 to Breaux & Associates for the Buford City Stadium project, authorized payment #33 of $1,287,449 to Charles Black Construction Co., Inc. for the stadium project, authorized $224,278 to Digital Scoreboards, LLC (subject to City Manager approval), and approved Backbone Infrastructure payments of $162,486.23 (New Street Roundabout, payment #3) and $127,995.32 (Moreno Street LCI, payment #6). The Commission also authorized $39,291.34 to JDS, Inc. for Southside Sewer, Phase II easement clearing. City Manager Kerlin and City Attorney Britt gave reports; the Commission adjourned after a brief audience discussion (Ayes 3, Nays 0).
Why it matters: the proposed millage and the payment authorizations are immediate fiscal actions; the stadium payments signal continued progress on a large capital project noted in the meeting packet.
What to watch next: the proposed millage and budget will follow the City’s adopted procedures for final adoption; contract payments and project invoices will be processed per procurement rules and the City Manager’s administrative approvals.
