In a May public hearing held by the Gwinnett County Commission, hundreds of residents flocked to the meeting to voice their opposition. Their beef had to do with the county’s proposed property tax increase. With a $1.7 billion budget proposed for 2009, the commission intended to offset the county’s deficit with additional real estate tax dollars.

Gwinnett citizens would not have it, however, and, with such huge opposition, the county acquiesced. County officials tasked county departments to make budget cuts, instead. Residents resounded the victory on the way home, and were pleased with themselves for accomplishing such a feat. There is a price to pay for such a showing, though.

Just this week, citizens learned what that fateful decision would cost them.

A leaked county memo outlined proposed cuts in the amount of $225 million through 2014. What are the target of the cuts? Premium services, such as police, libraries and parks.

Major capital projects were on the chopping block for the next four years, which include two police precincts, seven fire/EMS stations and around five parks. In addition, the brand-spanking-new $7.4 million Hamilton Mill Library will not open as planned next year. It’s all been put on hold until 2013.

Commissioner Bannister was very direct in his online letter addressed to Gwinnett citizens. He firmly acknowledged that the result of no increase in property tax would cost residents in the form of diminished park maintenance, longer response times for fire and EMS and a hiring freeze, if not a reduction, to the county workforce that continues to service the county’s still-growing population.

In response, citizens note some Gwinnett County spending gaffes, like the failed garbage collection program and dubious real estate purchases. Some say that commissioners are sending up a trial balloon for the purpose of testing and alarming the county’s citizens to reconsider their no-tax stand. Others think the county may be punishing residents, blackmailing them into agreeing to the proposed property tax increase.

Regardless of the motive, premium services are being cut and the citizens of Lawrenceville and the rest of Gwinnett County are going to pay.

The property tax increase would have cost around $180 more annually for a $200,000 home. We may not have all the facts here, but was the increase really that big of a deal in order to ensure the safety of area citizens, have access to quality libraries and enjoy an abundance of well-manicured parks?

If we’ve missed something, give us a shout out here at Roost and let us know. In the meantime, check out the great real estate that’s for sale in Lawrenceville.