Judge rules against Gwinnett County in tax dispute

A judge has ruled in favor of Gwinnett County's 15 municipalities in their tax dispute with the county.

Chief Judge David E. Barrett of the Enotah Judicial Circuit ruled this week that the county cannot use occupational taxes, cable franchise fees, development fees, alcohol license fees and hotel-motel excise taxes as revenue to roll back taxes for county residents.

The cities contended those fees should be used for countywide services such as the Sheriff's Office and courts before levying a property tax on residents.

The dispute centers on a service agreement that establishes county tax rates for city residents.

The Gwinnett Municipal Association has argued the county is taxing some city residents for services they already receive through city taxes. The county opposes a tax rollback.

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Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com