LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF GEORGIA: CONUNDRUMS CONTINUED AND CURIOSITIES CURTAILED

LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE

CONSTITUTION OF GEORGIA:

CONUNDRUMS CONTINUED AND

CURIOSITIES CURTAILED

Joe Scheuer

Assistant General Counsel

9/4/2018

2018 Edition

Association County Commissioners of Georgia

FOREWARD & USERS GUIDE

This book is a continuation of a work commenced originally when I was on staff at the

Office of Legislative Counsel. The work has been a ‘labor of love’ of mine for several decades now.

This new 2018 edition is a significantly expanded and revised version of that initial work and

represents a continuing effort to keep the material up to date. The 2018 edition is current through

the 2018 regular session of the General Assembly. Grateful acknowledgement and appreciation is

expressed to Mr. Rick Ruskell, Legislative Counsel of the Georgia General Assembly, for his

ongoing cooperation, support, and assistance in helping keep this invaluable resource available

and current.

One of the more curious features of local government law in Georgia is the fact that under

the 1877, 1945, and 1976 Constitutions there existed a class of amendments thereto which were

neither general in nature nor uniform throughout the state but which were purely local in terms

of their applicability. These unusual items were local constitutional amendments (referred to

throughout this book as LCA).

Under the 1877 Constitution, these LCAs evolved over time under the generic amendment

language of Article XIII, Section I, Paragraph I. This provision allowed ‘amendments’ to the

constitution without making a distinction as to whether the amendment was general or local.

When the1945 Constitution was adopted, Article VI, Section X, Paragraph I continued

in full force and effect as a part of the new 1945 constitution all LCAs to the 1877 Constitution

which had been adopted previously and, in Article XIII, Section I, Paragraph I, specifically provided

the direct authority to adopt new LCAs.

When the 1976 Constitution was adopted, this exact same pattern was again followed.

Article XIII, Section I, Paragraph I continued the prior LCAs in force and effect and Article XII,

Section I, Paragraph I continued in place the specific authorization to adopt new LCAs.

The 1983 Constitution, however, did not follow in the footsteps of its

predecessors. In a complete reversal of prior practice, Article XI, Section, I, Paragraph IV

prohibited the adoption of any new LCAs, and, with certain limited exceptions, provided for the

automatic repeal of each existing LCA unless such LCA was continued specifically in force and

effect as a part of the Constitution by local Act or home rule ordinance prior to July 1, 1987. If an

LCA was allowed to expire, the special provisions could never again be reenacted. If it was

continued in effect however, Paragraph IV provided that the LCA could thereafter be repealed

but could never be altered or amended. It would be forever frozen in place unless it was

repealed.

The purpose of this publication is to identify all of the LCAs that were in place at the time

the 1983 Constitution became effective (July 1, 1983, pursuant to Art. XI, Sec. I, Para. VI), and, to

explain the fate of each such LCA. Thus, the reader should be aware that except in a very few

instances which are of peculiar historical interest, this book will not detail the history of LCAs which

were repealed by the General Assembly or which were invalidated by the appellate

courts. Note, however, that all LCAs may be found by perusing the local law index

contained in Volumes 42 and 42Aof the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Those which

have been repealed or otherwise invalidated are indexed under the Noncurrent heading for the

affected local jurisdiction. Those which have been continued appear under the Current

heading for the affected jurisdiction.

In this publication, if an LCA was continued directly by a provision of the 1983

Constitution, then that provision is identified specifically. If an LCA was continued by local Act

or home rule ordinance, then those continuation mechanisms are identified specifically and include a

Georgia Laws citation. If an LCA was not continued, then the reader is directed to the automatic repeal

provision of Article XI.

The book contains a Table of Contents for the quick ascertainment of whether a particular

jurisdiction is covered by one or more LCAs. In addition, it is organized by means of an

alphabetical listing of counties. A municipality may be located at the end of the county listings in

which the municipality is located. All listings for a particular county or municipality are organized

chronologically. At the very end of the county listings there appear several categories of population

based listings applicable to counties and municipalities. The only ones which have been continued

apply solely to Fulton County and to the City of Atlanta and possibly to the consolidated

governments of Columbus and Augusta-Richmond.

With your help, this book will continue to be updated with corrections and new information. It will

continue to be available on the websites of the General Assembly and the

Association County Commissioners of Georgia for the convenience and accessibility of interested

state and local officials, city attorneys, county attorneys, and school board attorneys. I

encourage users to let me know of errors so that corrections can be made in the

subsequent year’s edition. Contact me by e-mail at jscheuer@accg.org

or directly at our

offices at 191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 700, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Please remain mindful that this book is solely and exclusively for informational purposes.

The review remarks cannot and do not reflect a detailed or thorough understanding of the

governmental operations, political atmosphere, and social needs of each locality. Consequently,

nothing stated herein constitutes or should be viewed as constituting a legal opinion.

It is my sincere hope that this tome will be an informative and useful research tool for all

who have occasion to travel through its pages.

Joe Scheuer

Assistant General Counsel

September, 2018

SPECIAL DEDICATION

A LONG overdue acknowledgement and tipping of my hat is expressed to Ms. Lynn Whitten, Deputy

Legislative Counsel of the Georgia General Assembly, for her MANY years of cooperation, support,

and assistance in the publication of this book. Without her help, I don’t know what I would have

done. I extend my deepest and most profound thanks to a skilled bill drafter, a valued colleague, and

a treasured and dear friend. I wish you every success in the next chapter of your life. Your absence

will be felt keenly and make the General Assembly a much poorer place. It has been a profound

honor to have worked with you and I bid you farewell and hope your path takes you to the “Second

star to the right and straight on til morning.”

Table of Contents

COUNTIES

Appling .................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Atkinson ................................................................................................................................................................. 19

Bacon ...................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Baker ....................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Baldwin .................................................................................................................................................................. 24

Banks ...................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Barrow .................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Bartow .................................................................................................................................................................... 30

Ben Hill................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Berrien ................................................................................................................................................................... 35

Bibb ......................................................................................................................................................................... 37

Bleckley .................................................................................................................................................................. 50

Brantley .................................................................................................................................................................. 52

Brooks..................................................................................................................................................................... 54

Bryan ....................................................................................................................................................................... 57

Bulloch ................................................................................................................................................................... 58

Burke ....................................................................................................................................................................... 59

Butts ........................................................................................................................................................................60

Calhoun .................................................................................................................................................................. 61

Camden .................................................................................................................................................................. 62

Candler ................................................................................................................................................................... 64

Carroll ..................................................................................................................................................................... 65

Catoosa ................................................................................................................................................................... 71

Charlton ................................................................................................................................................................. 73

Chatham ................................................................................................................................................................. 74

Chattahoochee ..................................................................................................................................................... 92

Chattooga ............................................................................................................................................................... 95

Cherokee ............................................................................................................................................................... 98

Clarke ................................................................................................................................................................... 101

Clay ........................................................................................................................................................................ 106

Clayton ..................................................................................................................................................................108

Clinch .....................................................................................................................................................................112

Cobb....................................................................................................................................................................... 114

Coffee .................................................................................................................................................................... 128

Colquitt ................................................................................................................................................................. 130

Columbia .............................................................................................................................................................. 133

Cook ....................................................................................................................................................................... 135

Coweta .................................................................................................................................................................. 137

Crisp ...................................................................................................................................................................... 141

Dade ...................................................................................................................................................................... 145

Dawson ................................................................................................................................................................. 146

Decatur ................................................................................................................................................................. 147

DeKalb. ................................................................................................................................................................. 148

Dodge .................................................................................................................................................................... 164

Dooly ..................................................................................................................................................................... 167

Dougherty ............................................................................................................................................................ 169

Douglas ................................................................................................................................................................. 174

Early ....................................................................................................................................................................... 177

Echols .................................................................................................................................................................... 179

Effingham ............................................................................................................................................................180

Elbert .................................................................................................................................................................... 182

Emanuel ............................................................................................................................................................... 183

Evans ..................................................................................................................................................................... 184

Fannin................................................................................................................................................................... 186

Fayette .................................................................................................................................................................. 187

Floyd ...................................................................................................................................................................... 189

Forsyth ................................................................................................................................................................. 196

Franklin ............................................................................................................................................................... 197

Fulton .................................................................................................................................................................... 198

Gilmer .................................................................................................................................................................. 228

Glascock .............................................................................................................................................................. 229

Glynn .................................................................................................................................................................... 230

Gordon .................................................................................................................................................................. 237

Grady .................................................................................................................................................................... 239

Greene ................................................................................................................................................................. 240

Gwinnett .............................................................................................................................................................. 241

Habersham .......................................................................................................................................................... 247

Hall ....................................................................................................................................................................... 250

Hancock ............................................................................................................................................................... 257

Haralson ............................................................................................................................................................. 258

Harris ....................................................................................................................................................................259

Hart ...................................................................................................................................................................... 260

Heard (City of Corinth only) .......................................................................................................................... 261

Henry ................................................................................................................................................................... 262

Houston ................................................................................................................................................................ 267

Irwin ...................................................................................................................................................................... 271

Jackson ................................................................................................................................................................. 273

Jasper ................................................................................................................................................................... 276

Jeff Davis ............................................................................................................................................................. 277

Jefferson .............................................................................................................................................................. 279

Jenkins ................................................................................................................................................................ 282

Johnson ............................................................................................................................................................... 283

Lamar ................................................................................................................................................................... 284

Lanier ................................................................................................................................................................... 285

Laurens ................................................................................................................................................................ 287

Lee ......................................................................................................................................................................... 289

Liberty ................................................................................................................................................................. 290

Lincoln .................................................................................................................................................................. 291

Long ...................................................................................................................................................................... 292

Lowndes .............................................................................................................................................................. 293

Lumpkin .............................................................................................................................................................. 299

Macon .................................................................................................................................................................. 300

Madison ................................................................................................................................................................ 301

Marion ................................................................................................................................................................. 302

McDuffie ............................................................................................................................................................. 303

McIntosh ............................................................................................................................................................. 304

Meriwether......................................................................................................................................................... 306

Miller .................................................................................................................................................................... 308

Mitchell ............................................................................................................................................................... 309

Monroe ................................................................................................................................................................. 310

Montgomery ....................................................................................................................................................... 312

Morgan ................................................................................................................................................................. 313

Murray .................................................................................................................................................................. 314

Muscogee ............................................................................................................................................................. 315

Newton ................................................................................................................................................................ 326

Oconee ................................................................................................................................................................. 329

Oglethorpe .......................................................................................................................................................... 330

Paulding ...............................................................................................................................................................333

Peach .................................................................................................................................................................... 336

Pickens ................................................................................................................................................................ 338

Pierce ................................................................................................................................................................... 339

Pike ........................................................................................................................................................................ 341

Polk ....................................................................................................................................................................... 342

Pulaski ................................................................................................................................................................. 344

Putnam .................................................................................................................................................................345

Quitman ............................................................................................................................................................... 347

Rabun ................................................................................................................................................................... 348

Randolph ............................................................................................................................................................ 349

Richmond ........................................................................................................................................................... 350

Rockdale .............................................................................................................................................................. 361

Schley ....................................................................................................................................................................365

Screven ................................................................................................................................................................ 366

Seminole ............................................................................................................................................................. 368

Spalding .............................................................................................................................................................. 369

Stephens ............................................................................................................................................................... 374

Stewart ................................................................................................................................................................. 376

Sumter .................................................................................................................................................................. 379

Talbot (City of Woodland only) ................................................................................................................... 380

Tattnall ................................................................................................................................................................. 381

Taylor ................................................................................................................................................................... 383

Telfair .................................................................................................................................................................. 384

Terrell .................................................................................................................................................................. 386

Thomas ................................................................................................................................................................. 387

Tift ......................................................................................................................................................................... 388

Toombs ................................................................................................................................................................ 390

Towns ................................................................................................................................................................... 393

Treutlen ............................................................................................................................................................... 394

Troup ....................................................................................................................................................................395

Turner .................................................................................................................................................................. 399

Twiggs ................................................................................................................................................................... 401

Union ................................................................................................................................................................... 402

Upson ................................................................................................................................................................... 403

Walker ................................................................................................................................................................. 406

Walton ................................................................................................................................................................. 407

Ware ..................................................................................................................................................................... 408

Washington ......................................................................................................................................................... 414

Wayne ................................................................................................................................................................... 415

Webster ................................................................................................................................................................ 417

Wheeler ................................................................................................................................................................ 418

White ..................................................................................................................................................................... 419

Whitfield ............................................................................................................................................................. 420

Wilcox .................................................................................................................................................................. 424

Wilkes .................................................................................................................................................................. 426

Worth .................................................................................................................................................................... 427

MUNICIPALITIES

Abbeville ..................................................................................................................................................................... 425

Acworth ....................................................................................................................................................................... 120

Adairsville ..................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Adel ................................................................................................................................................................................ 136

Albany ........................................................................................................................................................................... 172

Alma ................................................................................................................................................................................. 22

Alpharetta ................................................................................................................................................................... 214

Alto ............................................................................................................................................................... 27, 248, 254

Americus ..................................................................................................................................................................... 379

Appling ......................................................................................................................................................................... 134

Aragon ......................................................................................................................................................................... 342

Arlington ........................................................................................................................................................................ 61

Ashburn....................................................................................................................................................................... 399

Athens .......................................................................................................................................................................... 104

Atlanta .......................................................................................................................................................................... 215

Auburn ............................................................................................................................................................................29

Augusta ........................................................................................................................................................................ 356

Austell ........................................................................................................................................................................... 121

Avera ............................................................................................................................................................................ 280

Avondale Estates ...................................................................................................................................................... 158

Bainbridge ................................................................................................................................................................... 147

Baldwin ................................................................................................................................................................ 27, 248

Ball Ground ................................................................................................................................................................. 99

Barnesville ................................................................................................................................................................. 284

Bartow ......................................................................................................................................................................... 280

Baxley .............................................................................................................................................................................. 18

Bibb City ...................................................................................................................................................................... 322

Blackshear .................................................................................................................................................................. 340

Blakely .......................................................................................................................................................................... 177

Bloomingdale .............................................................................................................................................................. 84

Blue Ridge .................................................................................................................................................................. 186

Blythe ........................................................................................................................................................................... 359

Bowdon ......................................................................................................................................................................... 66

Braselton .................................................................................................................................................................... 274

Brunswick .................................................................................................................................................................. 234

Buford .......................................................................................................................................................................... 245

Cairo ............................................................................................................................................................................. 239

Calhoun ....................................................................................................................................................................... 238

Camilla ......................................................................................................................................................................... 309

Canton ............................................................................................................................................................................ 99

Carrollton ...................................................................................................................................................................... 67

Cartersville ................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Cedartown .................................................................................................................................................................. 343

Chamblee ..................................................................................................................................................................... 158

Chauncey ..................................................................................................................................................................... 165

Chester .......................................................................................................................................................................... 165

Clarkesville ................................................................................................................................................................ 249

Clarkston ..................................................................................................................................................................... 159

Claxton .......................................................................................................................................................................... 185

Clermont ..................................................................................................................................................................... 254

Cochran .......................................................................................................................................................................... 51

College Park ................................................................................................................................................................ 221

Colquitt ........................................................................................................................................................................ 308

Columbus .................................................................................................................................................................... 323

Conyers ........................................................................................................................................................................ 363

Cordele ......................................................................................................................................................................... 143

Corinth ......................................................................................................................................................................... 261

Cornelia ....................................................................................................................................................................... 249

Covington ................................................................................................................................................................... 328

Crawford ...................................................................................................................................................................... 331

Cusseta........................................................................................................................................................................... 94

Dallas............................................................................................................................................................................ 335

Dalton .......................................................................................................................................................................... 422

Damascus .................................................................................................................................................................... 178

Danville ....................................................................................................................................................................... 401

Darien .......................................................................................................................................................................... 305

Decatur ......................................................................................................................................................................... 159

Denton ......................................................................................................................................................................... 278

Doerun .......................................................................................................................................................................... 131

Donalsonville ............................................................................................................................................................ 368

Doraville ...................................................................................................................................................................... 161

Douglas ......................................................................................................................................................................... 129

Douglasville ................................................................................................................................................................ 176

Dublin .......................................................................................................................................................................... 287

Dudley .......................................................................................................................................................................... 288

East Point ................................................................................................................................................................... 222

East Thomaston ....................................................................................................................................................... 404

Eastman ....................................................................................................................................................................... 165

Eatonton ..................................................................................................................................................................... 346

Elberton ...................................................................................................................................................................... 183

Fairburn ...................................................................................................................................................................... 223

Fitzgerald .......................................................................................................................................................................34

Flowery Branch ........................................................................................................................................................ 254

Forest Park .................................................................................................................................................................. 111

Forsyth......................................................................................................................................................................... 310

Fort Gaines ................................................................................................................................................................. 107

Fort Valley .................................................................................................................................................................. 337

Gainesville .................................................................................................................................................................. 254

Garden City .................................................................................................................................................................. 84

Georgetown ............................................................................................................................................................... 347

Gillsville ...................................................................................................................................................................... 256

Glenwood .................................................................................................................................................................... 418

Gracewood ................................................................................................................................................................. 359

Grantville .................................................................................................................................................................... 138

Greenville ................................................................................................................................................................... 307

Griffin .......................................................................................................................................................................... 373

Grovetown ................................................................................................................................................................... 134

Guyton .......................................................................................................................................................................... 181

Hahira .......................................................................................................................................................................... 296

Hampton ..................................................................................................................................................................... 265

Hapeville ..................................................................................................................................................................... 224

Haralson ..................................................................................................................................................................... 138

Harlem .......................................................................................................................................................................... 134

Hawkinsville .............................................................................................................................................................. 344

Hazlehurst .................................................................................................................................................................. 278

Hephzibah .................................................................................................................................................................. 360

Hilltonia ...................................................................................................................................................................... 367

Hilton ............................................................................................................................................................................ 178

Hinesville .................................................................................................................................................................... 290

Hogansville ................................................................................................................................................................ 396

Holly Springs............................................................................................................................................................. 100

Homer ............................................................................................................................................................................. 27

Homerville .................................................................................................................................................................. 113

Hoschton..................................................................................................................................................................... 274

Jakin .............................................................................................................................................................................. 178

Jasper ........................................................................................................................................................................... 338

Jefferson ......................................................................................................................................................................275

Jeffersonville ............................................................................................................................................................ 401

Kennesaw .................................................................................................................................................................... 123

Kingsland.......................................................................................................................................................................63

LaGrange .................................................................................................................................................................... 396

Lakeland ..................................................................................................................................................................... 285

Lexington ..................................................................................................................................................................... 331

Lincolnton ................................................................................................................................................................... 291

Lithonia ........................................................................................................................................................................ 162

Locust Grove ............................................................................................................................................................. 266

Louisville .................................................................................................................................................................... 280

Lula ............................................................................................................................................................................... 256

Lumpkin ...................................................................................................................................................................... 378

Lyons ............................................................................................................................................................................. 391

Macon............................................................................................................................................................................. 44

Marietta ........................................................................................................................................................................ 123

Maysville ......................................................................................................................................................................275

McDonough ............................................................................................................................................................... 266

McRae .......................................................................................................................................................................... 384

Milledgeville .................................................................................................................................................................24

Milan ............................................................................................................................................................................ 385

Monroe ........................................................................................................................................................................ 407

Moreland ..................................................................................................................................................................... 139

Morrow .......................................................................................................................................................................... 111

Moultrie ....................................................................................................................................................................... 131

Mt. Zion ......................................................................................................................................................................... 68

Mountain Park.......................................................................................................................................................... 225

Nahunta .......................................................................................................................................................................... 53

Nashville ........................................................................................................................................................................36

Newington .................................................................................................................................................................. 367

Newnan ........................................................................................................................................................................ 139

Norcross ...................................................................................................................................................................... 245

Oakwood ..................................................................................................................................................................... 256

Ocilla ............................................................................................................................................................................ 272

Oliver ............................................................................................................................................................................ 367

Omaha .......................................................................................................................................................................... 378

Palmetto ...................................................................................................................................................................... 226

Payne .............................................................................................................................................................................. 49

Peachtree City ........................................................................................................................................................... 188

Pearson ........................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Pelham ......................................................................................................................................................................... 309

Perry ............................................................................................................................................................................. 270

Pine Lake ..................................................................................................................................................................... 162

Plainfield .................................................................................................................................................................... 166

Pooler ............................................................................................................................................................................. 84

Port Wentworth ......................................................................................................................................................... 84

Powder Springs ......................................................................................................................................................... 125

Preston ......................................................................................................................................................................... 417

Quitman ......................................................................................................................................................................... 55

Ray City...........................................................................................................................................................................36

Reidsville .................................................................................................................................................................... 382

Rest Haven ................................................................................................................................................................. 245

Rhine ............................................................................................................................................................................ 166

Richland ...................................................................................................................................................................... 378

Rincon ........................................................................................................................................................................... 181

Riverdale ....................................................................................................................................................................... 111

Rockmart .................................................................................................................................................................... 343

Rome ............................................................................................................................................................................ 194

Roopville ....................................................................................................................................................................... 68

Roswell ........................................................................................................................................................................ 226

St. Marys ........................................................................................................................................................................63

Savannah ...................................................................................................................................................................... 84

Senoia .......................................................................................................................................................................... 140

Sharpsburg ................................................................................................................................................................ 140

Smyrna ......................................................................................................................................................................... 126

Snellville ..................................................................................................................................................................... 245

Social Circle ............................................................................................................................................................... 407

Sparks ........................................................................................................................................................................... 136

Springfield .................................................................................................................................................................. 181

Stapleton ..................................................................................................................................................................... 281

Statesboro .....................................................................................................................................................................58

Stockbridge ................................................................................................................................................................ 266

Stone Mountain ......................................................................................................................................................... 163

Sugar Hill .................................................................................................................................................................... 246

Summerville ................................................................................................................................................................. 97

Swainsboro ................................................................................................................................................................ 183

Sylvania ....................................................................................................................................................................... 367

Sylvester ...................................................................................................................................................................... 427

Tallapoosa .................................................................................................................................................................. 258

Temple ........................................................................................................................................................................... 69

Thomaston ................................................................................................................................................................. 404

Thomasville ............................................................................................................................................................... 387

Thunderbolt................................................................................................................................................................. 90

Tifton ............................................................................................................................................................................ 389

Toccoa ...........................................................................................................................................................................375

Trion ................................................................................................................................................................................ 97

Turin ............................................................................................................................................................................. 140

Tybee Island ................................................................................................................................................................. 91

Unadilla ........................................................................................................................................................................ 167

Union City ................................................................................................................................................................... 227

Valdosta ...................................................................................................................................................................... 296

Vernonburg .................................................................................................................................................................. 91

Vidalia ........................................................................................................................................................................... 391

Villa Rica ....................................................................................................................................................................... 69

Waco ............................................................................................................................................................................. 258

Wadley ......................................................................................................................................................................... 281

Waleska ....................................................................................................................................................................... 100

Warner Robins ......................................................................................................................................................... 270

Washington ............................................................................................................................................................... 426

Waverly Hall .............................................................................................................................................................. 259

Waycross...................................................................................................................................................................... 411

Weston .......................................................................................................................................................................... 417

West Point .................................................................................................................................................................. 397

Whitesburg ................................................................................................................................................................... 70

Willacoochee ............................................................................................................................................................... 20

Winder ............................................................................................................................................................................29

Woodland ................................................................................................................................................................... 380

Woodstock ................................................................................................................................................................. 100

Wrens ........................................................................................................................................................................... 281

Wrightsville ............................................................................................................................................................... 283

POPULATION AMENDMENTS

Cities of 25,000 or more ....................................................................................................................................... 428

Cities of 150,000 or more .................................................................................................................................... 428

Counties having a city with a population of not less than 200,000 .................................................... 429

Counties having a city of 300,000 or more................................................................................................... 429

Cities of 300,000 or more.................................................................................................................................... 430

Cities of greater than 300,000 ........................................................................................................................... 430

Cities over 400,000 ................................................................................................................................................ 430

- 17 -

APPLING

COUNTY

Ga. L. 1952, p. 570.

DESCRIPTION: Provided for an elected county board of education.

COMMENTS: The LCA formerly contained the school board law regarding the election,

terms, and compensation of members of the county board of education.

STATUS: The LCA was continued initially by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3738. However,

the LCA was repealed subsequently by local Act, Ga. L. 1988, p. 3529, Section 6. The 1987

continuation Act was not repealed.

Ga. L. 1966, p. 797.

DESCRIPTION: Created the Appling County Industrial Development Authority.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1974, p. 1708.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the county governing authority to tax and to expend up to

$100,000.00 per year for the development of trade, commerce, industry, and employment

opportunities within the county.

COMMENTS: There is neither a general constitutional provision nor general law which

would authorize taxation for these purposes. A local law so authorizing would require a

determination as to whether these purposes are public services or public functions for which

public funds may be expended pursuant to Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2111.

DESCRIPTION: Provides a $10,000.00 homestead exemption from county ad valorem taxes to

residents' homesteads.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983.

- 18 -

BAXLEY

Ga. L. 1937-38, Ex. Sess., p. 10.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue refunding bonds for the purpose of retiring and

refunding present and future bonded indebtedness.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1982, p. 2653.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city governing authority to grant to residents each year by

ordinance a homestead exemption from all city ad valorem taxes in an amount not exceeding

$15,000.00.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. It is not clear,

however, that this constitutional provision would continue the discretionary power of the

city governing authority to set by ordinance the amount, if any, of the exemption each year.

This LCA was not specifically continued in effect by local Act or home rule ordinance.

- 19 -

ATKINSON

COUNTY

Ga. L. 1917, p. 41; Ga. L. 1918, p. 106.

DESCRIPTION: Creates Atkinson County and describes the boundary thereof.

COMMENTS: Following the adoption of the 1877 Constitution, 16 counties were created

by LCA.. Each LCA provided a metes and bounds description of the county boundary and

designated the county site.

STATUS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph II (b) grandfathers in force and effect the boundary

description of each of the 159 counties, as well as the county site, that existed as of June 30,

1983, and provides further that subsequent change may be accomplished only under the

operation of a general law.

Ga. L. 1951, p. 831; Ga. L. 1955, p. 719.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the county governing authority to issue refunding bonds without

a vote of the people.

COMMENTS: In view of the present authority which counties have to issue refunding

bonds without the necessity of a referendum pursuant to Article IX, Section V, Paragraph III,

it appears that this LCA is unnecessary.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2292.

DESCRIPTION: Grants a $10,000.00 homestead exemption from all county school district

ad valorem taxes to those residents 62 years of age or older whose specified income does not

exceed $12,000.00.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983.

PEARSON

Ga. L. 1939, p. 60.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds which were

outstanding and past due on September 1, 1939, and which became due by March 1, 1950.

- 20 -

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Purportedly repealed by local Act, Ga. L. 1971, p. 2266, Section 1.01. Not

continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section I, Paragraph

IV.

WILLACOOCHEE

Ga. L. 1937-38, Ex. Sess., p. 59.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds which were

outstanding and past due on January 1, 1939, and which became due by July 1, 1941.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

- 21 -

BACON

COUNTY

Ga. L. 1914, p. 23; Ga. L. 1916, p. 17.

DESCRIPTION: Creates Bacon County and describes the boundary thereof.

COMMENT: Following the adoption of the 1877 Constitution, 16 counties were created by LCA.

Each LCA provided a metes and bounds description of the county boundary and designated

the county site.

STATUS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph II (b) grandfathers in force and effect the

boundary description of each of the 159 counties, as well as the county site, that existed as of

June 30, 1983, and provides further that subsequent change may be accomplished only under

the operation of a general law.

Ga. L. 1916, p. 17.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the county to create local offices and local courts other than

those provided in the Constitution and to create debt for public improvements.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1939, p. 14.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the county to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds which were

outstanding and past due on January 1, 1939, and became due by July 1, 1939.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 409.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the county to levy a tax not to exceed one mill for promoting and

encouraging the location of new industry in the county.

COMMENTS: There is neither a general constitutional provision nor general law which

would authorize taxation for these purposes. A local law so authorizing would require a

determination as to whether these purposes are public services or public functions for which

public funds may be expended pursuant to Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II.

- 22 -

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3813.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 849.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Bacon County Industrial Building Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3815.

ALMA

Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 566.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to levy a tax not to exceed one mill for promoting and

encouraging location of new industry in city.

COMMENTS: There is neither a general constitutional provision nor general law which

would authorize taxation for these purposes. A local law so authorizing would require a

determination as to whether these purposes are public services or public functions for which

public funds may be expended pursuant to Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

- 23 -

BAKER

COUNTY

Ga. L. 1941, p. 17.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the county to issue bonds to refund and retire debts which were

outstanding and past due on January 1, 1942.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 298; Ga. L. 1959, p. 451; Ga. L. 1961, p. 618.

DESCRIPTION: Provided for an elected county board of education.

COMMENTS: These LCA’s provided the law regarding the composition and method of election

of the board. The provisions of the LCA relative to the filling of vacancies on the board have

been superseded by a local Act found at Ga. L. 1977, p. 2603. The compensation of board

members is contained in Ga. L. 1958, p. 2814, as amended.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1965, p. 697.

DESCRIPTION: Created the Baker County Industrial Development Authority.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

- 24 -

BALDWIN COUNTY

Ga. L. 1964, Ex. Sess., p. 382; Ga. L. 1968, p. 1841.

DESCRIPTION: Created the City of Milledgeville-Baldwin County Recreation Authority;

provided for powers and duties; and authorized the county to require motor vehicle

registration and to levy a $4.00 tax per vehicle (up to two vehicles per owner), with the net

proceeds going to the authority.

COMMENTS: Recreation systems may be established by cities or counties under O.C.G.A.

Chapter 36-64. However, numerous differences exist between the general law and the

authority created by this amendment.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1968, p. 1490.

DESCRIPTION: Created the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Industrial Development

Authority.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

MILLEDGEVILLE

Ga. L. 1927, p. 127; Ga. L. 1935, p. 1234; Ga. L. 1937, pp. 1132, 1137, 1139.

DESCRIPTION: Zoning and planning.

COMMENTS: The 1927 LCA to Art. III, Sec. VII, Para. XXV of the 1877 Constitution

included Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Brunswick, Columbus, Darien, Decatur, Dublin,

East Thomaston, LaGrange, Macon, Newnan, Rome, Savannah, Thomaston, Valdosta,

Waycross, and cities with a population of 25,000 or more according to the decennial census of

1920. The 1935 LCA added Moultrie. The first 1937 LCA added Carrolton, Cordele, Eastman,

Forsyth, Fort Valley, McRae, and Milledgeville. The second 1937 LCA added Dalton. The

third 1937 LCA added Quitman. Art. III, Sec. VII, Para. XXIII of the Constitution of 1945 (the

revised counterpart of

old Para. XXV) contained a direct grant of authority to the General

Assembly to grant authority to cities and counties to pass zoning and planning laws.

Amendment 19 (which included among other things, Art. XV, Sec. II-A, Para. III) granted

some zoning and planning power directly to counties and was held to have impliedly repealed

Para. XXIII insofar as it applied to unincorporated areas. Art. IX, Sec. IV, Para. II (15)

conferred zoning and planning power in cities and counties.

- 25 -

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed, Article XI, Section I,

Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1964, p. 1035.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to acquire, construct, etc., off-street parking facilities

and to issue revenue bonds for such purpose.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III (a) (11) and O.C.G.A. Section

36-82-61(4) (G) provide all cities with the powers authorized by this LCA.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1964, Ex. Sess., p. 382.

LCA affecting Milledgeville under Baldwin County.

Ga. L. 1968, p. 1490.

LCA affecting Milledgeville under Baldwin County.

- 26 -

BANKS

Ga. L. 1962, p. 939.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Banks County Industrial Building Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 5277.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 2438.

DESCRIPTION: Provides an $8,000.00 homestead exemption from county and county

school district ad valorem taxes for residents 65 years of age or over without regard to income.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983.

Ga. L. 1979, p. 1843.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the county governing authority to engage in business licensing

and regulation and to levy business license taxes in the county, including incorporated

areas in the county. Violation of such regulations constitutes a misdemeanor.

COMMENTS: There is no general law which would authorize counties to levy license taxes

within municipalities and O.C.G.A. Section 48-13-5 expressly prohibits counties from

levying license taxes upon certain professional businesses located within municipalities. It

may be noted that Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph I(a) now provides that the General

Assembly may by local law grant to a county the power to levy business license taxes in only

the unincorporated area of the county. O.C.G.A. Section 36-1-20 now authorizes

counties to exercise police powers, which would include business regulation, in the

unin

corporated areas and provides for prosecution of violations in the magistrate court.

These provisions could allow for exercise of licensing, regulation, and license taxation

powers by Banks County in the absence of this LCA but would not allow for the exercise of such

powers within incorporated municipalities.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 5365.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2159.

DESCRIPTION: Jurisdiction, practice, and procedures in justice of the peace courts.

COMMENTS: The 1983 Constitution abolished all justice of the peace courts and

establishes a system of magistrate courts. O.C.G.A. Chapter 15-10 governs all magistrate

- 27 -

courts and sets uniform jurisdiction, practice, and procedures for these courts.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

ALTO

Ga. L. 1979, p. 1843.

LCA affecting Alto under Banks County.

BALDWIN

Ga. L. 1979, p. 1843.

LCA affecting Baldwin under Banks County.

HOMER

Ga. L. 1979, p. 1843.

LCA affecting Homer under Banks County.

- 28 -

BAR

Ga. L. 1914, p. 27.

DESCRIPTION: Creates Barrow County and describes the boundary thereof.

COMMENT: Following the adoption of the 1877 Constitution, 16 counties were created

by LCA. Each LCA provided a metes and bounds description of the county boundary and

designated the county site.

STATUS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph II (b) grandfathers in force and effect the boundary

description of each of the 159 counties, as well as the county site, that existed as of June 30,

1983, and provides further that subsequent change may be accomplished only under the

operation of a general law.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1027; Ga. L. 1964, Ex. Sess., p. 376.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Winder-Barrow County Industrial Building Authority.

STATUS: Both LCA’s continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3525.

Ga. L. 1970, p. 1059.

DESCRIPTION: Merges the City of Winder school system with the Barrow County school

system and provides for an elected board of education and an appointed school superintendent.

COMMENTS: The LCA merges the independent school system of Winder with the Barrow

County school system. The LCA provides detailed provisions regarding the election of the

members of the board of education and appointment of the superintendent by the board and

authorizes the General Assembly to provide for all matters relative to the Barrow County

school system without the necessity of a referendum.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3523.

Ga. L. 1979, p. 1805.

DESCRIPTION: Jurisdiction, practice, and procedures in justice of the peace courts.

COMMENTS: The 1983 Constitution abolished all justice of the peace courts and

establishes a system of magistrate courts. O.C.G.A. Chapter 15-10 governs all magistrate

courts and sets uniform jurisdiction, practice, and procedures for these courts.

- 29 -

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

AUBURN

Ga. L. 1975, p. 1680.

DESCRIPTION: Grants a $2,000.00 exemption from municipal ad valorem taxes to each

resident of the city.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. An

exemption so continued could be amended. However, this LCA was continued

by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 5263. There is a least one case, Columbus-Muscogee Co. Consol.

Gov’t. v. CM Tax Equalization, 276 Ga. 332 (2003), where an appellate court concluded that

such a continuation meant the LCA had been continued under Paragraph IV(b) as part of the

Constitution. Consequently, the effect of the continuation of the LCA by local Act may mean

that unlike other exemptions continued as statute which can be amended, this exemption

cannot be amended.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1027.

LCA affecting Winder under Barrow County.

Ga. L. 1970, p. 1059.

LCA affecting Winder under Barrow County.

- 30 -

BARTOW

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 540, Ga. L. 1958, p. 495.

DESCRIPTION: Provides for the election of the county board of education and the school

superintendent.

COMMENTS: The LCA provides part of the current law regarding the county board of

education and school superintendent. The compensation of board members and their terms

of office are addressed in Ga. L. 1982, p. 4584 and Ga. L. 1982, p. 4589.

STATUS: Both LCA’s continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 4466.

Ga. L. 1968, p. 1852.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the county governing authority to create water, sewage,

garbage, and fire protection districts and to levy taxes in the county or in the districts to

construct and maintain facilities for such services.

COMMENTS: Counties and municipalities are now authorized to provide these services

under Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III, and public funds may be expended therefor under

Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II. Special districts for government services and special

taxes within those districts are now authorized by Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VI.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2184.

DESCRIPTION: Jurisdiction, practice, and procedures in justice of the peace courts.

COMMENTS: The 1983 Constitution abolished all justice of the peace courts and

establishes a system of magistrate courts. O.C.G.A. Chapter 15-10 governs all magistrate

courts and sets uniform jurisdiction, practice, and procedures for these courts.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2288.

DESCRIPTION: Granted a total homestead exemption from county school district ad valorem

- 31 -

taxes to those residents 62 years of age or older whose specified income does not exceed

$12,000.00.

COMMENTS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those

types of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983.

STATUS: Repealed specifically by a local Act granting new exemption, Ga. L. 1987, p.

5325.

ADAIRSVILLE

Ga. L. 1966, p. 912.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Adairsville Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4696.

CARTERSVILLE

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1021.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Cartersville Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4694.

Ga. L. 1971, p. 952.

DESCRIPTION: Grants a $2,000.00 homestead exemption from all ad valorem taxation by

the City of Cartersville to residents of the City of Cartersville who are disabled or age 62 or

over who do not have specified income exceeding $4,000.00 per year.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. An

exemption so continued could be amended. However, this LCA was continued,

purportedly, by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5365 (adopted 6/18/87; filed 7/6/87). There is a least

- 32 -

one case, Columbus-Muscogee Co. Consol. Gov’t. v. CM Tax Equalization, 276 Ga. 332

(2003), where an appellate court concluded that such a continuation meant the LCA had

been continued under Paragraph IV(b) as part of the Constitution. Consequently, the effect of

a continuation of the LCA by home rule ordinance may mean that unlike other exemptions

continued as statute which can be amended, this exemption cannot be amended. The

complication here is that the HRO was not filed with the Secretary of State until 7/6/87.

Under Art. IX, Sec. II, Para. I(g) a HRO does not become effective until so filed. This means

that the purported continuation of the LCA did not become effective prior to the 7/1/87

deadline under Paragraph IV(b) and thus was ineffective for continuation purposes.

Consequently, it appears that Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continued the LCA in

effect as statutory law.

- 33 -

BEN

HILL

Ga. L. 1906, p. 28.

DESCRIPTION: Creates Ben Hill County and describes the boundary thereof.

COMMENT: Following the adoption of the 1877 Constitution, 16 counties were created

by LCA. Each LCA provided a metes and bounds description of the county boundary and

designated the county site.

STATUS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph II (b) grandfathers in force and effect the boundary

description of each of the 159 counties, as well as the county site, that existed as of June 30,

1983, and provides further that subsequent change may be accomplished only under the

operation of a general law.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1011.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by two home rule ordinances, Ga. L. 1985, p. 5190, and Ga. L. 1985, p.

5326, and also by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3529.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2219.

DESCRIPTION: Grants a $6,000.00 homestead exemption from county and county school

district ad valorem taxes to residents; and grants a $12,000.00 exemption to residents 65

years of age or older whose specified income does not exceed $4,000.00.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983.

- 34 -

FITZGERALD

Ga. L. 1939, p. 31.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the city to levy an ad valorem property tax not to exceed one mill

for assisting, promoting, and encouraging new industries to locate in the city and for

advertising the city.

COMMENTS: There is neither a general constitutional provision nor general law which

would authorize taxation for these purposes. A local law so authorizing would require a

determination as to whether these purposes are public services or public functions for which

public funds may be expended pursuant to Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3527.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1011.

LCA affecting Fitzgerald under Ben Hill County.

- 35 -

BERRIEN

Ga. L. 1937-38, Ex. Sess., p. 12.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the Beaverdam school district to issue bonds to refund and retire

bonds which were outstanding and past due on October 15, 1938.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 819.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Berrien County Industrial Building Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 3877.

Ga. L. 1964, p. 1021.

DESCRIPTION: Provided for an additional member on the county board of education to be

appointed by the grand jury.

COMMENTS: Ga. L. 1971, p. 3044, completely superseded the provisions of the LCA by

creating an elected board of education to replace the previously existing board.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1965, p. 678.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the governing authority of Berrien County to levy an annual

ad valorem tax not exceeding two mills for promotion of industry, agriculture, trade, and

commerce and to appropriate funds so raised to the Berrien County Industrial Building

Authority.

COMMENTS: O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-220 provides that each county may levy up to one mill

of ad valorem tax to provide for assistance to county development authorities for the purpose

of developing trade, commerce, industry, and employment opportunities. This Code section

provides that the authorization granted therein shall be in addition to any authorization granted

by an LCA.

- 36 -

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

NASHVILLE

Ga. L. 1939, p. 54.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds which were

outstanding and past due on November 1, 1936, and which became due by November 1, 1942.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

RAY CITY

Ga. L. 1939, p. 67.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds which were

outstanding and past due on June 15, 1940.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1943, p. 41.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the City of Ray City to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds

which were outstanding and past due on July 1, 1943, and which became due by January

1,1962.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

- 37 -

BIBB

Ga. L. 1941, p. 21.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the county to incur debt by making temporary loans and

authorizes the county to borrow up to $150,000.00 for grants of money, property, or loans

to the federal or state government for national defense purposes.

COMMENTS: The provision relating to temporary loans is obsolete in that Article IX,

Section V, Paragraph V authorizes counties to make temporary loans. However, the provision

authorizing the county to borrow money to make certain grants for national defense purposes

still constitutes additional authority.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5098 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1943, p. 8.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the county governing authority to establish sanitation, fire

prevention, police protection, and road construction and improvement districts and to issue

bonds and levy taxes and assessments upon property within such districts.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III authorizes cities and counties to

provide the services enumerated by the amendment. Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VI

authorizes the creation of special service districts and the levy of taxes and assessments upon

property within such special districts.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5103 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1947, p. 1240.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the governing authorities of Bibb County and the City of Macon to

enact planning and zoning ordinances and appoint agencies for adopting and administering

zoning and planning laws.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section II, Paragraph IV specifically grants local governments the

power to enact planning and zoning ordinances.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 5308.

- 38 -

Ga. L. 1950, p. 431.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the General Assembly to enact laws creating a pension and

retirement system for elected or appointed officers and employees of the county who are paid

wholly or in part by the county, to provide for disability and death benefits, and to tax therefor

and ratifies prior pension law.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III(a)(14) now authorizes counties and

municipalities to maintain and modify existing retirement or pension systems and to create

and maintain retirement or pension systems for elected or appointed officers and employees

whose compensation is paid in whole or in part from county or municipal funds. Article III,

Section X, Paragraph I now authorizes the expenditure of public funds for retirement and

pension systems for public officers and employees.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1950, p. 434.

DESCRIPTION: Validates by operation of the constitution, certain Bibb County

population Acts.

COMMENTS: This LCA created an exception to the "uniform operation of general laws"

provision of the constitution (current Art. III, Sec. VI, Para. IV(a)). It validates Bibb County

population Acts ‘prior to and since the 1940 census’ which were not judicially

invalidated. A ‘validating’ provision would remove errors in existing population Acts but

would not apply to subsequent population Acts. The 1983 constitution included a new

prohibition against population bills as defined by the General Assembly (Art. III, Sec.

VI, Para. IV(b). Consequently, regardless of this LCA, new population Acts or

amendments to existing ones would have become subject to the limitations under

O.C.G.A. Section 28-1-15. For full treatment of this subject, see the current edition of the

companion publication, Population Acts of Georgia: A Pernicious Profusion of Confusion.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5108 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 256.

DESCRIPTION: Repeals Ga. L. 1947, p. 1565, and creates a joint Macon-Bibb County

Board of Health and provides for its powers and duties and authorizes the governing

authorities of the City of Macon and Bibb County to adopt ordinances and to provide criminal

penalties for violations of such ordinances.

COMMENTS: General law provides that health services shall be provided by the counties. The

amendment requires the City of Macon and Bibb County to act jointly in maintaining a

board of health and providing the necessary funds.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4682.

- 39 -

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 491.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the county governing authority to prescribe and enforce

building, electrical, and plumbing rules and regulations.

COMMENTS: Cities and counties are authorized to prescribe building, housing, plumbing,

and electrical codes under Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III. The LCA provides that

violators shall be tried in the City Court of Macon which has subsequently changed to the

State Court of Bibb County.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5112 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 526.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the General Assembly to delegate legislative power to the

governing authority of Bibb County to regulate traffic and exercise police powers.

COMMENTS: Code Section 36-1-20 authorizes the governing authority of each county to

adopt ordinances preserving the public health, safety, and welfare of the unincorporated

areas of the county, specifically including the regulation of traffic, violations of which

ordinances may be punished by fine or imprisonment of not more than $1,000.00 or 60

days' imprisonment or both.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5117 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1955, p. 682.

DESCRIPTION: Creates a county civil service system for certain county police officers and

officers and employees of the sheriff's department, authorizes the General Assembly to

change or abolish the system, and authorizes county commissioners to provide for a county

police department.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph IV authorizes the General Assembly by

general law to authorize the establishment by county governing authorities of civil service

systems covering both county employees and employees of county officers.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5122 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1958, p. 497.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the General Assembly to restructure and reorganize the

governing authority of Bibb County and any municipality located within the county subject

- 40 -

only to limitations detailed by the LCA.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section III, Paragraph II authorizes the General Assembly to

provide by law for any matters necessary to authorize the consolidation of the governmental

functions of cities and counties, provided that no consolidation shall become effective without

approval in a referendum, and authorizes the establishment of charter commissions to draft

proposed charters for the consolidated government without the necessity of further action by

the General Assembly.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1961, p. 611.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the county to set and collect license fees and taxes from

businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county and to prescribe and enforce

regulations concerning such businesses. The fees and taxes are declared as liens upon the

properties of such businesses. Failure to pay fees or to obey regulations is a

misdemeanor under the jurisdiction of the State Court of Bibb County.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section II, Paragraph I grants counties the power to prescribe

ordinances, and the power to levy license fees and taxes may be granted by a local Act

promulgated under Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph I. However, under general law, the

enforcement of ordinances is left to the county magistrate court under Code Section 36-1-20,

with maximum punishments of a $1,000.00 fine and 60 days' imprisonment or both.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5129 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1962, p. 885.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the county and city, either directly or through the Macon-Bibb

County Industrial Authority, to appropriate properties, money, and services to encourage

and assist the location and expansion of industrial and commercial facilities in the county.

The amendment also ratifies and confirms Ga. L. 1962, p. 2323, creating the Macon-Bibb

County Industrial Authority.

COMMENTS: There is neither a general constitutional provision nor general law which

would authorize taxation for these purposes. A local law so authorizing would require a

determination as to whether these purposes are public services or public functions for which

public funds may be expended pursuant to Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II.

STATUS: Continued by two HRO’s, Ga. L. 1985, p. 5168, and Ga. L. 1985, p. 5274, and also by

local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4685.

- 41 -

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1112.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the General Assembly to grant to county governing authority the

power to provide for construction, and maintenance of streets, bridges, sidewalks, and

related installations inside and outside the corporate limits of any municipality in the county.

COMMENTS: County's exercise of these powers within a municipality would be

prohibited by Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III (b) (l) unless authorized by contract or by

local law, absent the authority of this local amendment.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5135 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1964, p. 1067.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the governing authorities of Bibb County and the City of Macon by

resolution to consolidate the city and county offices regarding property assessment and tax

collection, but provides that such action may be changed by local Act.

COMMENTS: Under general law a board of tax assessors is created for each county for the

valuation of all real property in the county. Municipalities are required to assess and levy

taxes on the basis of the fair market value determined by the county board of tax assessors.

This LCA provides an exception to general law by the creation of a joint county-city board

of tax assessors with unique authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 1067.

Ga. L. 1966, p. 835.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the governing authority of Bibb County to provide group

medical insurance and group life insurance for employees of the county and elected officials

of the county.

COMMENTS: While there is general authority for the provision of such insurance benefits for

county employees, there is no such general authority for provision of insurance benefits for

county elected officials. In addition, county commissioners are under Article IX, Section II,

Paragraph I expressly prohibited from taking home rule action affecting the salary of elected

county officers or the compensation, expenses, and allowances in the nature of

compensation of the county commissioners.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5139 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

- 42 -

Ga. L. 1966, p. 881.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the county governing authority to adopt, revise, and modify

pension, disability, and retirement plans for any elected or appointed person whose

compensation is paid wholly or in part by the county.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III(a)(l4) authorizes cities and counties to

maintain and modify existing pension or retirement systems, and Article III, Section X,

Paragraphs I and II authorize the expenditure of public funds for such purposes.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5144 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87).

Ga. L. 1974, p. 1706.

DESCRIPTION: Provides an exemption from all ad valorem taxes other than state taxes for

harvested agricultural products which have a planting-to-harvest cycle of 12 months or less,

which are customarily cured and aged for a period in excess of one year after harvesting, and

before manufacturing, and which are held in Bibb County for manufacturing or processing

purposes.

COMMENTS: An identical exemption is now provided by general law. See O.C.G.A. Section

48-5-41.1(b) (2).

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. An

exemption so continued could be amended. However, this LCA was continued

by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5149 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87). There is a least one case,

Columbus-Muscogee Co. Consol. Gov’t. v. CM Tax Equalization, 276 Ga. 332 (2003), where

an appellate court concluded that such a continuation meant the LCA had been continued

under Paragraph IV(b) as part of the Constitution. Consequently, the effect of the

continuation of the LCA by home rule ordinance may mean that unlike other exemptions

continued as statute which can be amended, this exemption cannot be amended.

Ga. L. 1974, p. 1724.

DESCRIPTION: Set the compensation of members of the county board of education and

authorized future changes in the compensation to be enacted by local law without the

necessity of a referendum.

COMMENTS: Ga. L. 1978, p. 4007, increased the compensation of members of the board and

supersedes the amount provided by the amendment. Article VIII, Section V, Paragraph II

- 43 -

permits the compensation of boards of education to be set by local law without a

referendum.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1974, p. 1754.

DESCRIPTION: Ratifies and confirms a local Act creating the Macon-Bibb County

Urban Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1985, p. 5269, and also by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4698.

Ga. L. 1976, p. 1827.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority to issue

bonds for buildings and facilities for use by county or city and authorizes county and city to

tax to provide funds to authority for use of buildings and facilities.

COMMENTS: Absent this constitutional authority, or general law authority which does not

now exist, the authority probably could not issue bonds for public building purposes

without a referendum because of Article IX, Section V, Paragraph I or issue revenue bonds

for such a purpose because of Article IX, Section VI, Paragraph I and the absence of a general

law authorizing revenue bonds to be issued for such purposes.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1985, p. 5269, and also by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4698.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 2360.

DESCRIPTION: Provides that for purposes of determining eligibility for homestead

exemption from local county, city, and school ad valorem taxes in Bibb County a "homestead"

shall include property held under an occupancy agreement at a stockholder of a nonprofit

cooperative ownership housing corporation.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. An

exemption so continued could be amended. However, this LCA was continued

by HRO, Ga. L. 1988, p. 5094 (adopted 8/5/86; filed 6/29/87). There is a least one case,

Columbus-Muscogee Co. Consol. Gov’t. v. CM Tax Equalization, 276 Ga. 332 (2003), where

an appellate court concluded that such a continuation meant the LCA had been continued

under Paragraph IV(b) as part of the Constitution. Consequently, the effect of the

continuation of the LCA by home rule ordinance may mean that unlike other exemptions

continued as statute which can be amended, this expansion of homestead eligibility cannot

- 44 -

be amended.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2128.

DESCRIPTION: Grants additional powers to the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development

Authority.

STATUS: Continued by HRO, Ga. L. 1985, p. 5269, and also by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p.

4698.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2133.

DESCRIPTION: Provides a $7,000.00 homestead exemption from county and county school

district ad valorem taxes to residents' homesteads.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983.

Ga. L. 1910, p. 42

LCA affecting Bibb County under Chatham County.

MACON

Ga. L. 1927, p. 127; Ga. L. 1935, p. 1234; Ga. L. 1937, pp. 1132, 1137, 1139.

DESCRIPTION: Zoning and planning.

COMMENTS: The 1927 LCA to Art. III, Sec. VII, Para. XXV of the 1877 Constitution

included Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Brunswick, Columbus, Darien, Decatur, Dublin,

East Thomaston, LaGrange, Macon, Newnan, Rome, Savannah, Thomaston, Valdosta,

Waycross, and cities with a population of 25,000 or more according to the decennial census of

1920. The 1935 LCA added Moultrie. The first 1937 amendment added Carrolton,

Cordele, Eastman, Forsyth, Fort Valley, McRae, and Milledgeville. The second 1937 LCA

added Dalton. The third 1937 LCA added Quitman. Art. III, Sec. VII, Para. XXIII of the

Constitution of 1945 (the revised counterpart of old

Para. XXV) contained a direct grant of

authority to the General Assembly to grant authority to cities and counties to pass zoning and

planning laws. Amendment 19 (which included among other things, Art. XV, Sec. II-A, Para.

III) granted some zoning and planning power directly to counties and was held to have

impliedly repealed Para. XXIII insofar as it applied to unincorporated areas. Art. IX, Sec. IV,

Para. II(15) conferred zoning and planning power in cities and counties.

- 45 -

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed, Article XI, Section I,

Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1937-38, Ex. Sess., p. 45.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue notes to refund and retire any indebtedness

which was outstanding on January 1, 1939, and authorized the city to incur limited debt by

making temporary loans.

COMMENTS: The bond portion of this LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

Paragraph V authorizes cities to make temporary loans.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1939, p. 52.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue notes and certificates to retire and pay any

debts of the city existing at the time the amendment was ratified or within 90 days thereafter.

COMMENTS: The one-time authority to issue notes to retire the debt existing on the date the

LCA was ratified has no current applicability.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1941, p. 124.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city governing body to exempt new buildings, machinery,

and equipment from municipal ad valorem taxation for up to five years.

COMMENTS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those

types of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. It is not

clear, however, that this constitutional provision would continue the discretionary power of

the city governing authority to exempt such property from taxation.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1941, p. 127.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to vary the amount of its tax levy on newly annexed

property for up to ten years after annexation commensurate with the benefits and

- 46 -

services extended to the property.

COMMENTS: This LCA contradicted the uniformity of taxation provisions of Article VII,

Section I, Paragraph III, and also differed from the special district alternatives of Article IX,

Section V, Paragraph II.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1941, p. 129.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to incur limited debt for the purpose of contributing to

local, state, or national defense.

COMMENTS: It is unclear whether the LCA was authority for a one-time issuance of notes or

debt certificates or whether it was continuing authority to incur debt for the stated purpose

so long as the aggregate of such debt does not exceed $150,000.00.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1952, p. 518.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue revenue bonds to pay for hospital

improvements. Also authorized the use of certain water receipts to be pledged for the payment

of such bonds.

COMMENTS: The powers granted to the city under this LCA appear to be otherwise

conferred by the Constitution.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1958, p. 482.

DESCRIPTION: Empowered the mayor and council to enact ordinances on building safety

and fitness.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III(a) and Code Section 36-35-3 serve as a

modern basis to accomplish the ends originally sought to be achieved.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

- 47 -

Ga. L. 1977, p. 1612; Ga. L. 1978, p. 2311.

DESCRIPTION: Provided for an increase in the benefits paid to any widow or child of a

member of the Firemen and Police Pension Fund of the City of Macon.

COMMENTS: The LCA was self-executing and increased to a specific amount the benefits

paid to certain widows and children of a member of the Firemen and Police Pension Fund of

the City of Macon. Article IX, Section II, Paragraph II(14) authorizes cities and counties to

increase benefits paid pursuant to public retirement or pension systems by home rule.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 2357.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the governing authority of the city to grant, and fix at not more

than $2,000.00, a homestead exemption from municipal ad valorem taxation for each

resident of the city who is 65 years of age or over and has specified income not exceeding

$4,000.00 per year.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. It is not clear

that this constitutional provision would continue the discretionary power of the city

governing authority to grant and fix the amount of the exemption.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2092.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the city governing authority to grant preferential assessments

for city ad valorem property tax purposes for revitalized or rehabilitated residential property.

COMMENTS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those

types of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. It is

not clear, however, that this constitutional provision would continue the discretionary

power of the city governing authority to grant preferential assessments.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 2092.

Ga. L. 1982, p. 2549.

DESCRIPTION: Provided for an increase in the benefits paid to certain retired firemen or

- 48 -

policemen who were members of the Firemen and Police Pension Fund of the City of Macon.

COMMENTS: The LCA was self-executing and increased to a specific amount the benefits

paid to certain retired firemen and policemen who were members of the Firemen and Police

Pension Fund of the City of Macon. Article IX, Section II, Paragraph II(14) authorizes cities

and counties to increase benefits paid pursuant to public retirement or pension systems by

home rule.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1947, p. 1240.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 256.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 885.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1112.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1964, p. 1067.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1974, p. 1706.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1974, p. 1754.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1976, p. 1827.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

- 49 -

Ga. L. 1978, p. 2360.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2128.

LCA affecting Macon under Bibb County.

PAYNE

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1112.

LCA affecting Payne under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1974, p. 1706.

LCA affecting Payne under Bibb County.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 2360.

LCA affecting Payne under Bibb County.

- 50 -

BLECKLEY COUNTY

Ga. L. 1912, p. 38.

DESCRIPTION: Creates Bleckley County and describes the boundary thereof.

COMMENT: Following the adoption of the 1877 Constitution, 16 counties were created by LCA.

Each LCA provided a metes and bounds description of the county boundary and designated

the county site.

STATUS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph II(b) grandfathers in force and effect the boundary

description of each of the 159 counties, as well as the county site, that existed as of June 30,

1983, and provides further that subsequent changes may be accomplished only under the

operation of a general law.

Ga. L. 1952, p. 548.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the General Assembly to enact a local Act merging Cochran

independent school system with Bleckley County school system.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1966, p. 1042.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Bleckley County-Cochran Industrial Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3558.

Ga. L. 1982, p. 2669.

DESCRIPTION: Provides for an elected county board of education.

COMMENTS: The LCA defines the county education districts for Bleckley County; provides

for the method of electing the members of the board of education at the general election

in 1984, 1986, and 1988; and contains the current school board law for the county.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3556.

- 51 -

COCHRAN

Ga. L. 1941, p. 48.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds which were

outstanding and past due on February 1, 194l, and which became due by November 1, 1953.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1952, p. 548.

LCA affecting Cochran under Bleckley County.

Ga. L. 1966, p. 1042.

LCA affecting Cochran under Bleckley County.

- 52 -

BRANTLEY

Ga. L. 1920, p. 34.

DESCRIPTION: Creates Brantley County and describes the boundary thereof.

COMMENT: Following the adoption of the 1877 Constitution, 16 counties were created by LCA.

Each LCA provided a metes and bounds description of the county boundary and designated

the county site.

STATUS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph II(b) grandfathers in force and effect the boundary

description of each of the 159 counties, as well as the county site, that existed as of June 30,

1983, and provides further that subsequent changes may be accomplished only under the

operation of a general law.

Ga. L. 1937-38, Ex. Sess., p. 17.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the levy of an additional tax of five mills for school purposes.

COMMENTS: Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph I authorizes the levy of a school tax up to

20 mills and provides for increasing or removing the 20 mill limit. Given the current 20 mill

limitation, the purpose of the LCA regarding the increase of the school tax is unclear.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 217.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the county to levy a tax not exceeding one mill for promoting and

encouraging location of industry and development of agriculture in the county.

COMMENTS: There is neither a general constitutional provision nor general law which

would authorize taxation for these purposes. A local law so authorizing would require a

determination as to whether these purposes are public services or public functions for which

public funds may be expended pursuant to Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

- 53 -

Ga. L. 1968, p. 1731.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Brantley County Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 5103.

NAHUNTA

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 189.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to levy a tax not exceeding one mill for promoting and

encouraging location of industry in city.

COMMENTS: There is neither a general constitutional provision nor general law which

would authorize taxation for these purposes. A local law so authorizing would require a

determination as to whether these purposes are public services or public functions for which

public funds may be expended pursuant to Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

- 54 -

BROOKS

COUNTY

Ga. L. 1956, p. 417; Ga. L. 1957, p. 509.

DESCRIPTION: Provided for an elected board of education of Brooks County.

COMMENTS: A later LCA found at Ga. L. 1962, p. 827, which provides for the merger of the

Brooks County school system and the City of Quitman school system, completely changed

the board membership and composition thereof and the districts from which members are

elected and effectively superseded these two LCA’s.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 827.

DESCRIPTION: Provides for the merger of the school systems of the City of Quitman and

Brooks County and authorizes Quitman and Brooks County to appropriate money from their

general funds to the new school system.

COMMENTS: Portions of this LCA have been superseded by Ga. L. 1984, p. 3713, as specifically

authorized by the 1962 amendment. The remaining provisions of this LCA contain the current

county school board law.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 827.

Ga. L. 1966, p. 870.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Brooks County Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4739.

Ga. L. 1977, p 1581.

DESCRIPTION: Jurisdiction, practice, and procedures in justice of the peace courts.

COMMENTS: The 1983 Georgia Constitution abolishes all justice of the peace courts and

establishes a system of magistrate courts. O.C.G.A. Chapter 15-10 governs all magistrate

courts and sets uniform jurisdiction, practice, and procedures for these courts.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

- 55 -

I, Paragraph IV.

QUITMAN

Ga. L. 1927, p. 127; Ga. L. 1935, p. 1234; Ga. L. 1937, pp. 1132, 1137, 1139.

DESCRIPTION: Zoning and planning.

COMMENTS: The 1927 LCA to Art. III, Sec. VII, Para. XXV of the 1877 Constitution

included Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Brunswick, Columbus, Darien, Decatur, Dublin,

East Thomaston, LaGrange, Macon, Newnan, Rome, Savannah, Thomaston, Valdosta,

Waycross, and cities with a population of 25,000 or more according to the decennial census of

1920. The 1935 LCA added Moultrie. The first 1937 LCA added Carrolton, Cordele, Eastman,

Forsyth, Fort Valley, McRae, and Milledgeville. The second 1937 LCA added Dalton. The

third 1937 LCA added Quitman. Art. III, Sec. VII, Para. XXIII of the Constitution of 1945 (the

revised counterpart of old

Para. XXV) contained a direct grant of authority to the General

Assembly to grant authority to cities and counties to pass zoning and planning laws.

Amendment 19 (which included among other things, Art. XV, Sec. II-A, Para. III) granted

some zoning and planning power directly to counties and was held to have impliedly repealed

Para. XXIII insofar as it applied to unincorporated areas. Art. IX, Sec. IV, Para. II(15)

conferred zoning and planning power in cities and counties.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed, Article XI, Section I,

Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1939, p. 62.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to incur debt by making temporary loans and to issue five-

year notes to retire any current deficits.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section V, Paragraph V addresses the making of temporary loans

by cities. Although the language relating to five-year notes is less than clear, it appears that

this was a one-time authority to pay deficits existing at the time the LCA was ratified

and no longer has any applicability.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1939, p. 65.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds which were

- 56 -

outstanding and past due on January 1, 1940, and which became due by January 1, 1950.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted a one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 827.

LCA affecting Quitman under Brooks County.

- 57 -

BRYAN

Ga. L. 1968, p. 1680; Ga. L. 1974, p. 1696.

DESCRIPTION: Created the Bryan County Industrial Development Authority.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1924, p. 35.

LCA affecting Bryan County under Chatham County.

Ga. L. 1939, p. 23.

LCA affecting Bryan County under Chatham County.

- 58 -

BULLOCH

Ga. L. 1966, p. 1002.

DESCRIPTION: Created the Statesboro and Bulloch County Development Authority.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1981, p. 1916.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized creation of subclasses of real property and taxation with special

districts of such subclasses for fire protection services.

COMMENTS: The LCA provided authority relative to taxation not otherwise available.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1981, p. 1931.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the General Assembly by local law to allocate to the Bulloch

County school system the proceeds of any local sales and use tax levied in the county and to

reduce proportionately the ad valorem tax millage rate for the school system.

COMMENTS: The LCA is implemented by a local Act found at Ga. L. 1983, p. 3906.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1984, p. 4013.

STATESBORO

Ga. L. 1979, p. 1841.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the General Assembly to create the Downtown Statesboro

Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4655.

Ga. L. 1966, p. 1002.

LCA affecting Statesboro under Bulloch County.

- 59 -

BURKE

Ga. L. 1962, p. 910.

DESCRIPTION: Created the Burke County Development Authority.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1979, p. 1846.

DESCRIPTION: Provided a formula which limits the ad valorem tax millage rates which may

be fixed by the governing authority of Burke County and the board of education of Burke

County. This limitation was in addition to the millage limitation applicable to all county

school systems. This formula basically limits total ad valorem tax revenue growth to 4

percent per year unless public hearings are held on the fixing of a higher millage.

COMMENTS: In the absence of this LCA it would not be possible to fix any such millage

limitation by local action or local legislation regarding the county commission.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

- 60 -

BUTTS

Ga. L. 1968, p. 1614.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Butts County Industrial Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 3848.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 2401; 1980, p. 2333.

DESCRIPTION: Grants an additional $12,000.00 homestead exemption from all county

school district ad valorem taxes to those residents 62 years of age or older whose specified

income does not exceed $8,000.00.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. The LCA was

repealed and replaced by subsequent local Act, Ga. L. 2001, p. 4289.

- 61 -

CALHOUN

Ga. L. 1941, p. 24.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the county to issue bonds to retire all indebtedness of the

county as it existed on January 1, 1941, and required the county thereafter to operate on a cash

basis and prohibits issuing delayed warrants and payment orders.

COMMENTS: The provision relating to issuing bonds to retire indebtedness was a one-

time authority and has no current applicability. The provision requiring the county to

operate on a cash basis is probably not necessary because Article IX, Section V places

limitations on the manner in which counties may incur debt through the issuance of bonds

and by making temporary loans. The practice of issuing delayed warrants and payment

orders beyond the fiscal year is not contemplated or authorized.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1955, p. 470.

DESCRIPTION: Provides for an elected county board of education and the manner of filling

vacancies.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 3940.

Ga. L. 1968, p. 1672.

DESCRIPTION: Created the Calhoun County Industrial Development Authority.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

ARLINGTON

Ga. L. 1962, p. 808.

LCA affecting Arlington under Early County.

- 62 -

DEN

Ga. L. 1961, p. 597.

DESCRIPTION: Provided for an elected county board of education.

STATUS: Continued initially by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4363. However, both the local

amendment and the 1986 Act were repealed subsequently by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 4943,

Section 9.

Ga. L. 1981, p. 1909.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the probate court to try violations of county ordinances and

resolutions and authorized the General Assembly to provide by law the procedures and

conditions under which this jurisdiction shall be exercised.

COMMENTS: The 1983 Georgia Constitution established a magistrate court in each

county. O.C.G.A. Chapter 15-10 governs magistrate courts and authorizes these courts

to try violations of county ordinances. O.C.G.A. Section 36-1-20 also authorizes

magistrate courts to enforce county ordinances. This LCA was the authority for the

probate court to exercise jurisdiction over violations of county ordinances.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1982, p. 2586.

DESCRIPTION: Grants a $4,000.00 homestead exemption from all county and county

school district ad valorem taxes to residents and grants an additional $4,000.00 exemption

to those residents 60 years of age or older whose specified income does not exceed

$12,000.00.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983.

Ga. L. 1924, p. 35

LCA affecting Camden County under Chatham County.

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Ga. L. 1939, p. 23

LCA affecting Camden County under Chatham County.

KINGSLAND

Ga. L. 1962, p. 813.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Kingsland Development Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1986, p. 4365.

ST. MARYS

Ga. L. 1959, p. 460.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the City of St. Marys to bind itself by contract to a stabilized tax

program with any corporation, partnership, or individual.

COMMENTS: The city would not have authority to bind itself to a stabilized property tax

program without this LCA.

STATUS: Not continued. Repealed by Article XI, Section I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1980, p. 2260.

DESCRIPTION: Grants an $8,000.00 homestead exemption from city ad valorem taxes to

residents 65 years of age or older whose specified income does not exceed $10,000.00.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. The LCA

was repealed subsequently by local Act, Ga. L. 1991, Ex. Sess., p. 460, Section 8.

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CANDLER COUNTY

Ga. L. 1914, p. 29.

DESCRIPTION: Creates Candler County and describes the boundary thereof.

COMMENT: Following the adoption of the 1877 Constitution, 16 counties were created by LCA.

Each LCA provided a metes and bounds description of the county boundary and designated

the county site.

STATUS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph II(b) grandfathers in force and effect the boundary

description of each of the 159 counties, as well as the county site, that existed as of June 30,

1983, and provides further that subsequent changes may be accomplished only under the

operation of a general law.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 922.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Candler County Industrial Authority.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 3734.

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CARROLL

Ga. L. 1957, p. 173.

DESCRIPTION: Repealed an earlier LCA (Ga. L. 1952, p. 564) and established a grand

jury appointed board of education with an elected superintendent.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1958, p. 459.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the General Assembly by local Act to give to the county

governing authority the power to tax for a rescue squad.

COMMENTS: Counties and municipalities are now authorized to provide these services

under Article IX, Section II, Paragraph III, and public funds may be expended therefor under

Article IX, Section IV, Paragraph II.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1135.

DESCRIPTION: Creates the Carrollton Payroll Development Authority to operate in Carroll

County and Carrollton.

STATUS: Continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1985, p. 3987.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 2343.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the General Assembly to provide by law for a civil service

system for all employees whose salaries are paid from county funds.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph IV authorizes the General Assembly by

general law to authorize the establishment by county governing authorities of civil service

systems covering both county employees and employees of county officers.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

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I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1126.

LCA affecting Carroll County under Mt. Zion.

BOWDON

Ga. L. 1939, p. 18.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the town to issue refunding bonds to retire bonds not paid at the

time of maturity.

COMMENTS: Article IX, Section V, Paragraph III authorizes refunding bonds.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1974, p. 1702.

DESCRIPTION: Grants a $6,000.00 homestead exemption from municipal ad valorem

taxation to each resident of the city who is 65 years of age or over and has specified income

not exceeding $4,000.00 per year.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those types

of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983.

Ga. L. 1977, p. 1602.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the city governing authority to grant a homestead

exemption from municipal ad valorem taxation of not more than $2,000.00. Provides that

the exemption must be granted and its amount fixed by municipal ordinance each year.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those

types of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. It is not

clear, however, that this constitutional provision would continue the discretionary power of

the city governing authority to grant and fix the amount of the homestead exemption each

year. An exemption so continued could be amended. However, this LCA was

continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1985, p. 4814. There is a least one case, Columbus-Muscogee

Co. Consol. Gov’t. v. CM Tax Equalization, 276 Ga. 332 (2003), where an appellate court

concluded that such a continuation meant the LCA had been continued under Paragraph

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IV(b) as part of the Constitution. Consequently, the effect of the continuation of the LCA by

local Act may mean that unlike other exemptions continued as statute which can be

amended, this exemption cannot be amended.

CARROLLTON

Ga. L. 1927, p. 127; Ga. L. 1935, p. 1234; Ga. L. 1937, pp. 1132, 1137, 1139.

DESCRIPTION: Zoning and planning.

COMMENTS: The 1927 LCA to Art. III, Sec. VII, Para. XXV of the 1877 Constitution

included Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Brunswick, Columbus, Darien, Decatur, Dublin,

East Thomaston, LaGrange, Macon, Newnan, Rome, Savannah, Thomaston, Valdosta,

Waycross, and cities with a population of 25,000 or more according to the decennial census of

1920. The 1935 LCA added Moultrie. The first 1937 LCA added Carrolton, Cordele, Eastman,

Forsyth, Fort Valley, McRae, and Milledgeville. The second 1937 LCA added Dalton. The

third 1937 LCA added Quitman. Art. III, Sec. VII, Para. XXIII of the Constitution of 1945 (the

revised counterpart of old Para. XXV)

contained a direct grant of authority to the General

Assembly to grant authority to cities and counties to pass zoning and planning laws.

Amendment 19 (which included among other things, Art. XV, Sec. II-A, Para. III) granted

some zoning and planning power directly to counties and was held to have impliedly repealed

Para. XXIII insofar as it applied to unincorporated areas. Art. IX, Sec. IV, Para. II(15)

conferred zoning and planning power in cities and counties.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed, Article XI, Section I,

Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1939, p. 21.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city to issue bonds to refund and retire bonds which were

outstanding and past due on January 1, 1939.

COMMENTS: This LCA constituted one-time authority and has expired.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

Ga. L. 1977, p. 1596.

DESCRIPTION: Authorizes the city governing authority to grant a homestead

exemption from municipal ad valorem taxation of not more than $2,000.00. Provides that

the exemption must be granted and its amount fixed by ordinance in each year.

STATUS: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those

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types of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. It is not

clear, however, that this constitutional provision would continue the discretionary power of

the city governing authority to grant and fix the amount of the homestead exemption each

year. An exemption so continued could be amended. However, this LCA was

continued by local Act, Ga. L. 1987, p. 5154. There is a least one case, Columbus-Muscogee

Co. Consol. Gov’t. v. CM Tax Equalization, 276 Ga. 332 (2003), where an appellate court

concluded that such a continuation meant the LCA had been continued under Paragraph

IV(b) as part of the Constitution. Consequently, the effect of the continuation of the LCA by

local Act may mean that unlike other exemptions continued as statute which can be

amended, this exemption cannot be amended.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1135.

LCA affecting Carrollton under Carroll County.

MT. ZION

Ga. L. 1962, p. 1126.

DESCRIPTION: Created the Mt. Zion, Turkey Creek, and Flint Corner Development

Authority.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or home rule ordinance. Repealed by Article XI, Section

I, Paragraph IV.

ROOPVILLE

Ga. L. 1977, p. 1604.

DESCRIPTION: Authorized the city governing authority to grant a homestead

exemption from municipal ad valorem taxation of not more than $2,000.00. Provided that

the exemption must be granted and its amount fixed by municipal ordinance each year.

COMMENT: Article VII, Section II, Paragraph IV continues in effect as statutory law those

types of exemptions from ad valorem taxation provided for by law on June 30, 1983. It is not

clear, however, that this constitutional provision would continue the discretionary

authority of the city governing authority to grant and fix the amount of the homestead

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exemption each year. Note that identical LCA’s for Bowdon and Carrollton were continued

specifically by local Act.

STATUS: Not continued by local Act or by home rule ordinance. While this LCA may have

been repealed by Article XI, Section I, Paragraph IV, it nonetheless may be in current

operation.

TEMPLE

Ga. L. 1977, p. 1598.