GeorgiaHB 12052025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Yatesville, City of; provide new charter

Sponsored By: Robert Dickey (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

22 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 7 costs, 13 mixed.

Yatesville court can impose fines and jail

The municipal court hears charter and ordinance violations, with penalties up to $1,000, 180 days in jail, or both. Other sentencing authority provided by law still applies. Contempt committed in court can bring up to 10 days in jail and a fine allowed by law. The court can set operating fees and receive reimbursement for meals, transport, and care of prisoners sent to superior court. It can accept cash or property as bail; missing trial can lead to cash forfeiture or a property lien.

City workers and appointees serve at will

Beginning July 1, 2026, city employees can be removed at any time unless an ordinance provides otherwise. Subject to charter limits, the council can create, end, change, combine, or leave vacant unelected offices, positions, departments, and agencies. The mayor nominates qualified appointed officers and department directors, and the council confirms them. These appointees serve at will, and the mayor can remove or suspend them. The charter, another law, or an ordinance can provide exceptions for appointees.

Yatesville improvements can affect owners' property

Yatesville can acquire, build, and maintain public facilities and improvements inside or outside the city. It can take property for those purposes through Georgia's condemnation procedures; the charter states no compensation amount or timetable. The city can charge special assessments to cover public improvement costs. Owners whose property touches streets, sidewalks, sewers, or utility mains can be assessed for those improvements. By ordinance, the city can also require adjoining owners to keep sidewalks safe and repaired, with penalties for noncompliance.

Yatesville court decisions have review rights

The charter establishes Yatesville's municipal court, led by a chief judge and any additional judges authorized by ordinance. The council appoints judges who must be at least 21 and meet legal qualifications. An ordinance sets their pay; Georgia law governs their terms and removal. People in criminal or city-ordinance cases retain the right to seek review in the Superior Court of Upson County.

Yatesville emergency rules have firm limits

The council can pass an emergency rule at its first meeting when an emergency threatens life, health, property, or public peace. The rule must clearly describe the emergency and receive at least three councilmembers' votes. It takes effect upon adoption or a stated later date and expires after 30 days unless reenacted. Emergency rules cannot levy taxes, grant or extend franchises, or regulate public utility rates. They can authorize only loans repayable within 30 days.

City staff face political office limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, mayors and councilmembers generally cannot hold another city office or job unless law permits it. Former mayors and councilmembers must wait one year after their elected term ends before taking an appointed city office. Appointed officers must leave city employment when they qualify to run for public office. Other employees must leave upon qualifying for or winning public office only when it conflicts with their city duties. The mayor and council decide whether that conflict exists.

Overdue Yatesville bills can trigger liens

The council can set reasonable, lawful collection methods for overdue taxes, fees, and revenue covered by charter Sections 6.1 through 6.8. These methods include late penalties, interest, property liens, personal debts, and permit revocation for nonpayment. The city can also use formal tax collection orders and assign or transfer them. The charter sets no penalty or interest rates.

Local businesses can face permit fees

Beginning July 1, 2026, Yatesville can require local businesses and practitioners to get permits and pay reasonable regulatory fees. State law must allow the requirements. Each fee must reflect the city's total cost of regulating that activity. The charter sets no fee amounts.

Yatesville officials face strict ethics penalties

Covered city officials and employees must disclose financial interests and stay out of related council decisions and votes. Rules also restrict conflicting private work, gifts, misuse of confidential information, and personal use of city property. Knowing violations or concealment cause loss of office or employment and a three-year ban on city office or work. The city can void an affected contract or sale when a party knew of the violation.

Street-use providers owe Yatesville fair payment

The council can grant franchises allowing providers to use city streets and alleys for no more than 35 years. It sets the terms and whether a franchise is exclusive, and the city must receive fair, adequate payment. When no franchise agreement exists, the city can tax gross receipts of specified utility and transportation providers using those streets. The law sets no payment amount or tax rate and does not state any household price effect.

Yatesville can charge for basic services

Yatesville can run, contract for, or dispose of utilities and set rates, fees, and other service charges. It can charge for stormwater, garbage, sanitation, health, and other services, including services available outside city limits. Sewer charges can apply when service is available or used, with connection fees for connected customers. The city can enforce payment and stop utility service for nonpayment; franchise and contract rules must respect valid Public Service Commission rules. The charter sets no prices and requires no particular utility arrangement.

City land sales give neighbors options

Beginning July 1, 2026, Yatesville can sell or lease city property, subject to applicable law. It can give up certain property interests after a mayoral report and council resolution. Those interests must be unneeded and have no readily measurable cash value. Parcels cut off by street work can be sold to neighboring owners when this supports their property's best use. Each bordering owner must receive notice and a chance to buy, with terms set by city ordinance.

City workers get formal pay rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, the mayor prepares a job classification and pay plan for council approval. The plan can cover city workers and employees of city agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and authorities. Once approved, a job's salary range can rise or fall only through a plan amendment. Elected and appointed officials are not covered as employees. The law sets no salary amounts or guaranteed raises.

Yatesville can tax residents' taxable property

Yatesville can assess and tax real and personal property within the city that is subject to state and county taxation. The council must set the property-tax rate, due date, and payment period by ordinance. It can allow two installments, one lump-sum payment, or voluntary early payment. The charter also allows other taxes and fees permitted by current or future Georgia law. It sets no tax rate or bill amount, and installment or early-payment options are not guaranteed.

Yatesville businesses can face local taxes

The council can levy business and occupation taxes by ordinance and classify businesses or professions for tax purposes. Yatesville can also require permits and charge regulatory fees allowed by Georgia law. Regulatory fees must reflect regulatory costs. A permit can be revoked for unpaid city taxes or fees only after due process. The charter sets no rates and does not require a particular charge.

City elections drop party labels

Beginning July 1, 2026, Yatesville city candidates appear on ballots without party labels. Political parties cannot hold primaries for city offices. The law states no direct household financial effect.

New charter guides Yatesville city government

Beginning July 1, 2026, Yatesville's new charter keeps its existing boundaries and gives it broad local powers. The city can operate services, contract with other governments or private parties, and regulate buildings, businesses, traffic, and land use. The council can pass local rules and set penalties, subject to the charter and Georgia law. The mayor serves as chief executive, with administrative offices and departments supporting city operations. Transition rules preserve existing personnel, contracts, claims, and ongoing work while the city adopts transition ordinances.

Yatesville adds oversight and removal procedures

After approving a resolution, the council can investigate city affairs and require sworn testimony and evidence. People who refuse lawful orders can face city penalties. City officers can be removed for grounds allowed by Georgia law, through an impartial hearing or court order. A Yatesville resident can bring a removal complaint in the Superior Court of Upson County. An elected officer facing council removal gets written notice, a public hearing at least 10 days later, and appeal rights.

Yatesville sets election and vacancy rules

City elections occur every two years in odd-numbered years, on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The mayor and two council seats are elected together; the remaining three seats alternate with them. The candidate with the most votes wins, without needing more than half of all votes. A special election fills a vacancy when at least 12 months remain in the term. With less than 12 months left, the council appoints a replacement.

Yatesville sets qualifications for city leaders

Yatesville's government has a mayor and five councilmembers, elected citywide for four-year terms. No more than one councilmember can live in each district. Candidates must have lived in the city for 24 months before the election. While serving, leaders must remain city residents and registered, qualified city voters.

Yatesville can borrow with repayment limits

Yatesville can issue general obligation bonds for authorized projects and revenue bonds payable from the financed project's revenue. Bond issuance must follow Georgia law. Short-term loans must be repaid by December 31 each year unless another law provides otherwise. Multiyear lease, purchase, and lease-purchase contracts must end without further city obligation at each calendar-year end unless renewed. Those contracts must follow applicable law, and the charter sets no borrowing or contract amounts.

Yatesville budgets require funding and public audits

The mayor must submit the operating budget and recommended capital plan at least 45 days before the fiscal year begins. The council must adopt operating and capital budgets by March 30; otherwise, current appropriations continue month to month. Spending cannot exceed estimated revenue, fund balances, and reserves, and the council must levy taxes needed to fill any funding gap. The council sets the fiscal year. Annual independent audits are required, with copies available to the public.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Robert Dickey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 4

House vote • 2/17/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 165 • No: 1 • Other: 10

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2026
House Date Signed by Governor
5/11/2026House
Act 550
5/11/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/6/2026House
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
3/6/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
3/6/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/18/2026Senate
House Committee Favorably Reported
2/17/2026House
House Third Readers
2/17/2026House
House Passed/Adopted
2/17/2026House
House Second Readers
2/9/2026House
House First Readers
2/6/2026House
House Hopper
2/5/2026House

Bill Text

HB 1205/AP* (v4)
PDF

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