On May 21, voters voted in favor of passing the City of Mulberry to bring local control to unincorporated areas of Buford, Hoschton and Dacula. The major areas affected are Hamilton Mill and those around Mill Creek High School.
Around 57% of voters, with 7,986 ballots cast, voted in favor of the cityhood being passed.
Georgia House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration (R-Auburn) and State Senator Clint Dixon (R-Buford) led the efforts for cityhood. The legislation for the vote to be placed on the ballot was approved by Gov. Brian Kemp in February.
A lawsuit by Stephen Hughes stated that citizens were misled by taxes and the measure was unconstitutional. An emergency hearing followed and Gwinnett County Judge Tadia Whitner ruled in favor of the measure being placed on the ballot after Attorney General Chris Carr said the lawsuit was filed incorrectly.
According to Gwinnett County’s fact sheet, the City of Mulberry would be responsible for the area’s stormwater system and road maintenance (including $39.11 million worth of road projects in the area funded by the SPLOST tax). Police protection, emergency services, fire, solid waste disposal and recreational services will remain provided by Gwinnett County.
After May’s passing of cityhood, voters will elect the city council members. There are hopes by those adopting the cityhood that Mulberry will be in place by Jan. 2025.
