Gwinnett BOC To Consider Sunday Alcohol Sales, Budget

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners is scheduled to get a look at the county's proposed 2012 spending plan Tuesday.  with a $30 million revenue shortfall, but news reports say that an almost-balanced budget will be presented.

Also, commissioners Tuesday will consider approving a public refendum on Sunday alcohol sales in unincorporated areas of the county. Voters in several Gwinnett cities recently approved Sunday sales in their areas, but that only applies within city limits.

The current county budget is about $1.3 billion (operating and capital). That does not include the Gwinnett school system, which sets its own budget.

Last year, the county approved a budget that had an $18 million revenue shortfall, with the provision that reserve funds would be used to fill the gap. However, commissioners made spending cuts that prevented reserve funds from being used.

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget in December, and the commissioners will vote on the final plan at the first Tuesday meeting in January, spokesman Joe Sorenson said.

Also, a proposed Sunday alcohol sales referendum would be held March 6, the same day as the presidential primary, Sorenson said.