HB1205: HB1205 Yatesville, City of; provide new charter

Georgia cities operate under charters passed by the General Assembly, and this bill replaces Yatesville's existing charter with a new, comprehensive one. It reincorporates the city, defines its boundaries, and lists the broad range of powers the city government can exercise, from zoning and business licensing to eminent domain and utility operation. The charter sets up a city council of a mayor and five members elected at large to four year terms, spells out how vacancies are filled, how meetings and votes work, and how conflicts of interest are handled. It creates the Municipal Court of the City of Yatesville with authority to fine up to $1,000 or jail up to 180 days for violations, and lays out detailed rules for property taxes, franchises, borrowing, budgeting, and city contracts. The new charter takes effect July 1, 2026, and repeals any conflicting prior law.

• Reincorporates the City of Yatesville and grants it broad self government powers over zoning, taxation, utilities, policing, and public health under Article I.
• Establishes a city council of a mayor and five members elected at large to four year terms, with rules for filling vacancies and removing officers (Articles II and V).
• Creates the Municipal Court of the City of Yatesville, letting it fine violators up to $1,000 or jail them up to 180 days, or both (Section 4.4).
• Sets detailed financial rules covering property taxes, franchises up to 35 years, bonds, budgeting deadlines, and annual independent audits (Article VI).
• Requires elected and appointed officials to disclose financial conflicts of interest and imposes penalties, including forfeiture of office, for violations (Section 2.6).

Yatesville residents and voters, the mayor and city council members, city employees and appointed officers such as the city clerk and city attorney, businesses operating in the city that pay occupation taxes or fees, and anyone charged with violations in the city's municipal court.

The new charter changes how Yatesville is run day to day: who can run for office and how long they serve, how much taxing and borrowing power the city has, how conflicts of interest are policed, and what penalties the municipal court can impose, shaping local governance starting July 1, 2026.

• Section 1.4 lists dozens of specific city powers, including animal control, building codes, zoning, franchises, and environmental protection.
• Section 2.1 sets the council at a mayor plus five members elected citywide, with no more than one councilmember per district.
• Section 2.6 details conflict of interest rules and penalties, including forfeiture of office for knowing violations.
• Section 4.4(c) caps municipal court penalties at a $1,000 fine or 180 days imprisonment or both.
• Section 5.2 sets staggered four year terms with elections in odd numbered years, mayor and two council seats one cycle and the rest the next.
• Section 6.5 caps franchise grants (for utilities, cable, etc.) at 35 years and requires just compensation to the city.
• Section 6.17 requires the council to adopt a final annual budget by March 30 each year.
• Article VIII sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, and Article IX repeals conflicting prior laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 550
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-06Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-02-18Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-02-17House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)Primary sponsor

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 17, 2026

   163 yea, 1 nay (7 not voting, 4 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #513

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2026

   49 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #639

• city charters
• local government
• municipal court
• property taxes
• Yatesville