Georgia legislators are looking for ways to help cities and counties divide up the services they provide local residents. Under a law the General Assembly passed in 1997, cities and counties are authorized to negotiate service delivery agreements that determine how they will provide services including police and fire protection, road construction, water and sewer systems, and garbage collection.
However, conflicts have led to litigation. State Senator Frank Ginn of Danielsville is one of the study committee’s co-chairman and said they’re looking for a way to help steer governments toward resolution of disputes before it reaches the court system. Currently, Barrow County and the City of Winder are involved in a service delivery dispute that the Georgia Supreme Court is due to take up next month.
