PRIA Logo™
GeorgiaSB 4572025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

City of Mulberry; provision of services and exercise of powers by the city; provide

Sponsored By: Bill Cowsert (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Mulberry cannot charge city property taxes

Mulberry cannot assess, levy, or collect property taxes on real or personal property within its city limits. This ban applies to city property taxes, not taxes imposed by other governments. The law sets no tax rate or dollar amount of savings.

Removal protections for Mulberry’s city manager

Removing Mulberry’s city manager starts with a preliminary resolution approved by a majority of the council. The council can temporarily suspend the manager for up to 45 days, and the manager can request a public hearing. Final removal requires four councilmembers. Salary continues through the effective date of the final removal resolution. The manager also receives at least 60 days’ severance pay unless convicted of a felony when removal takes effect.

City manager runs Mulberry’s daily operations

Mulberry’s city manager is its chief administrator, appointed by the mayor with council approval for an indefinite term. The manager serves at the council’s pleasure and must be chosen solely for executive and administrative qualifications, including education and experience. The manager must devote all working time to city affairs, enforce laws, oversee departments, and hire or remove supervised staff. The manager attends council meetings, recommends measures, and ensures public utilities follow their franchise terms. As budget officer, the manager prepares the proposed budget, reports on finances, and sets staff salaries within the budget. The manager can execute contracts within the budget; contracts, purchases, or obligations needing a budget amendment require council approval to be valid. Council members must deal with supervised workers through the manager and cannot give them public or private orders. Charter-authorized inquiries and investigations are exempt from that restriction. A qualified administrative officer designated by the manager and approved by the council can fill in during temporary absence or disability. An acting manager carries out the duties during disability or after death until the disability ends or a replacement takes over.

Mulberry can arrange local city services

Mulberry can plan and zone, support community and economic development, and adopt and enforce codes. It can also arrange solid-waste collection and disposal and storm-water collection and disposal. The city can use agreements with other governments, contracts, franchises, or lawful agreements with private parties. The law does not require a specific service or set a household charge or benefit amount.

Mulberry sets staggered council election terms

Except for initial elections covered elsewhere in the charter, municipal general elections begin in 2027 and occur every two years. Election day is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Members elected in 2027 from Districts 1, 3, and 5 serve four-year terms through December 31, 2031. Those elected in 2027 from Districts 2 and 4 serve two-year terms through December 31, 2029. Successors are elected in the year those terms expire and serve four-year terms starting the following January 1.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Bill Cowsert

    Republican • Senate

  • Clint Dixon

    Republican • Senate

  • Shawn Still

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Chuck Efstration

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 198 • No: 0

House vote • 3/20/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 153 • No: 0 • Other: 18

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026Senate

  2. Act 610

    5/11/2026

  3. Effective Date

    5/11/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/20/2026House

  6. House Third Readers

    3/20/2026House

  7. House Passed/Adopted

    3/20/2026House

  8. House Second Readers

    3/6/2026House

  9. House First Readers

    3/4/2026House

  10. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/3/2026Senate

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/3/2026Senate

  12. Senate Read and Referred

    2/4/2026Senate

  13. Senate Hopper

    2/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 457/AP* (v6)

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation