Gwinnett commission to consider budget cuts

LAWRENCEVILLE - The Gwinnett County Commission is prepared to vote on $225 million in proposed cuts to the county's operating budget through 2014. The plan has run into opposition.

The commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed cuts Tuesday. The plan calls for eliminating up to 250 jobs this year, including 53 police positions. Benefits to remaining employees would be decreased.

The proposal has generated more than 260 e-mails and phone calls to county officials. At least three groups have mounted drives to delay action on the cuts.

The latest plan follows an outcry against a proposed 28 percent property tax increase last month. County commissioners killed that plan and directed departments to cut their budgets.