HB1525: HB1525 Auburn, City of; revise and readopt charter in its entirety

Auburn's city charter, first adopted in 1949, sets the basic legal structure of the city government. This bill replaces almost all of that charter (Sections 1.10 through 7.13) with new language covering how the city is organized and run. The new charter spells out the powers of the city council and mayor, creates staggered four-year terms with a three-consecutive-term limit, and sets up the office of city manager as the chief executive who hires and supervises department heads like the police chief and public works director. It also rewrites the rules for the municipal court, elections (held in odd years under the state Election Code), property and business taxes, budgeting, borrowing, and selling city property. A referendum is required before the city can change police staffing minimums. The changes take effect once the bill becomes law, replacing the prior charter provisions in their entirety.

• Replaces nearly all of Auburn's existing charter with a fully rewritten version covering city powers, structure, and procedures.
• Creates a city council of a mayor and four councilmembers elected from four districts, with staggered four-year terms starting in 2027 and 2029.
• Sets a three-consecutive-term limit for both mayor and councilmembers, starting with terms beginning January 1, 2026.
• Establishes a professional city manager as chief executive who appoints and supervises department heads, prepares the budget, and can be removed at will by the council.
• Requires any future change to the charter's minimum police staffing rule (two officers per shift) to go through a public referendum needing two-thirds approval.
• Rewrites the Municipal Court of the City of Auburn's jurisdiction, penalties (up to a $1,000-range fine or one year of labor on public works), and appeal process to Barrow or Gwinnett County Superior Court.

Auburn's mayor, city council members, city manager, department heads (police chief, public works director, community development director, parks and leisure director), municipal court judges and defendants, city taxpayers and business license holders, and residents who vote in city elections or serve on city boards and commissions.

The rewrite changes how Auburn's government is organized day to day, including who supervises city staff, how long officials can serve before term limits apply, how the municipal court handles cases and appeals, and how the city collects taxes and fees. Residents interacting with city hall, courts, or elections would operate under the new rules once the charter takes effect.

• Section 1.11 requires the city to maintain an official boundary map in the city clerk's office, updated by ordinance as boundaries change.
• Section 1.12(c) requires a two-thirds referendum vote to change police staffing minimums, specifically a floor of two full-time officers per shift.
• Section 2.29 gives the mayor veto power over ordinances, but the council can override with at least three council votes.
• Section 3.13-3.15 create the city manager position, defining hiring, removal (at-will, majority council vote), and duties including budget preparation and department oversight.
• Section 4.13 sets municipal court penalties, including contempt fines or up to 15 days imprisonment, and general offense penalties up to one year of labor on public works.
• Section 5.11 establishes staggered elections, with mayor and Posts 1 and 3 elected in 2027 and Posts 2 and 4 elected in 2029, each cycle every four years.
• Section 5.16 limits the mayor and councilmembers to three consecutive terms, starting with terms beginning January 1, 2026.
• Section 6.28 requires an annual independent audit of city accounts by a certified public accountant, with reports open to the public.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-05-12
2. 2026-05-12Act 668
3. 2026-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-27Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-27Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-03-23Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-03-20House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)Primary sponsor

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 20, 2026

   153 yea, 0 nay (14 not voting, 9 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #734

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 27, 2026

   47 yea, 0 nay (6 not voting, 1 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #825

• city charters
• local government structure
• municipal elections
• city manager
• municipal court