A Fulton County judge this week dismissed Gwinnett County’s lawsuit against the state of Georgia challenging the creation of the city of Mulberry.
“The Mulberry City Council is thankful that we can now put these lawsuits behind us and begin working with Gwinnett County,” said Michael Coker, who took office on New Year’s Day as Mulberry’s inaugural mayor. “We look forward to further discussing the transition of services with the county and doing what is necessary to build a strong relationship between Mulberry and Gwinnett.”
Gwinnett County sues state of Georgia over city of Mulberry
Gwinnett’s case was the first time a county sued over the creation of a city in its boundaries since the incorporation wave in Atlanta’s northern suburbs began two decades ago.
Gwinnett argued that the Mulberry charter violates the Georgia Constitution because it prohibits Mulberry from imposing a city property tax unless voters amend the charter in a referendum. Gwinnett argued the state constitution grants city councils the power to tax and change the charter without a referendum…