Court Opinion

ID: 9571118
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:29:11.354536+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:28:17.342554
License: Public Domain

Gadsden, Judge,
concurring specially.
The majority’s construction of OCGA § 48-8-80 et seq. has ensured that the citizens of a qualified minority municipality will reap the proportionate benefits of their tax dollars. The “absent munici*573pality” provision gives growing communities a safety valve with which they can seek relief from a certificate of distribution that no longer meets their needs. OCGA § 48-8-80 (b). At the same time the provision substantially protects the taxing ability of majority municipalities from minority municipality dissension.
Decided October 19, 1989
Reconsiderations denied November 21, 1989.
Russell, Adamson & Stell, John E. Stell, Jr., for City of Winder.
Michael J. Bowers, Attorney General, H. Perry Michael, Executive Assistant Attorney General, Harrison Kohler, Deputy Attorney General, Verley J. Spivey, David A. Runnion, Senior Assistant Attorneys General, for Collins et al.
William D. Healan, Jr., for Barrow County et al.
Tennant, Davidson, Thompson & Sweeny, V. Lee Thompson, Glenn P. Stephens, for Town of Auburn et al.
Positive growth of a community should be encouraged in every instance. Therefore the qualified minority municipalities of Auburn and Statham will be allowed to flourish as “absent municipalities” should they elect this status after negotiations.