HB 592: Cleveland, City of; provide new charter

Cleveland's current city charter dates to 2013. This bill replaces it entirely with a new charter that reincorporates the city, restates its boundaries, and lists the full range of powers the city government can exercise, from zoning and utilities to policing and taxation. It sets up a mayor and four council members, one elected from each of four described districts and the mayor elected at large, all serving four year terms. The charter creates the office of city manager as chief administrative officer, sets rules for meetings, ordinances, conflicts of interest, and removal of officials, and establishes a municipal court with defined jurisdiction and penalty limits. It also covers taxation, franchises, borrowing, budgeting, and property sales. The bill repeals the 2013 charter Act and any amendments to it, along with any other conflicting laws, once the new charter takes effect.

• Reincorporates the City of Cleveland and restates its boundaries and general home rule powers under Georgia law.
• Creates a mayor and four-member city council, with one council member elected from each of four defined districts and the mayor elected citywide.
• Establishes a city manager position as chief administrative officer, appointed by the council, with defined hiring, budget, and supervisory duties.
• Sets up a municipal court with a chief judge, defining its authority to fine up to $1,000 and jail up to 180 days for violations.
• Details the city's taxing, borrowing, budgeting, procurement, and property-sale procedures, including ad valorem (property) tax collection and bond issuance.
• Repeals the city's 2013 charter and any amendments to it, along with other conflicting laws.

Residents and property owners of Cleveland in White County, city elected officials and employees, the city manager and department heads, municipal court defendants, and businesses seeking licenses, permits, or franchises within the city.

The new charter reorganizes how Cleveland's local government operates day to day, from how council districts are drawn and vacancies filled to how taxes are levied and disputes handled in municipal court, replacing the framework residents and officials have used since 2013.

• Section 1-1002 requires the city to keep an official map or description of its boundaries on file with the city clerk.
• Section 1-1004 lists 44 specific corporate powers, including zoning, utilities, condemnation, and business licensing.
• Section 2-1004 divides the city into four council districts described by street boundaries, with the mayor elected citywide.
• Section 2-1007 requires the city manager to post a $100,000 fidelity bond before taking office.
• Section 4-1002 sets four-year staggered terms for mayor and council, with elections in odd-numbered years.
• Section 7-1004 caps municipal court penalties at a $1,000 fine or 180 days imprisonment, or both.
• Section 8-1007 limits franchise grants to a maximum of 35 years and requires just compensation to the city.
• Section 9-1006 repeals the City of Cleveland's 2013 charter Act and all its amendments in full.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date
2. 2025-05-13Act 151
3. 2025-05-13House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-10Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-10Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-02-28Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-02-27House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Stan Gunter (R, HD-8)Primary sponsor
• Will Wade (R, HD-9)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 27, 2025

   169 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 6 excused)

   Local Calendar: House Vote #99

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 10, 2025

   43 yea, 1 nay (3 not voting, 9 excused)

   LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #221

• city charters
• local government
• White County
• municipal court
• city council elections