Eagle’s Landing Moves One Step Closer To Becoming A City
Georgia’s Senate passed two bills, SB 262 and 263, to create the new city in Henry County.
Dustin Chambers
Eagle’s Landing cleared a hurdle Thursday in its attempt to become a city.
Georgia’s Senate passed two bills, SB 262 and 263, to create the new city in Henry County.
Senate bill 262 defines new boundaries for Stockbridge, which Eagle’s Landing is pulling from. While senate bill 263 creates a charter for the new city.
State Sen. Brian Strickland represents the proposed Eagle’s Landing area.
“While their commercial corridor is funding other governments, they feel they’re left with not having the services they want and desire and deserve,” Strickland said.
The vote was not without strong opposition.
State Sen. Emanuel Jones, who represents Stockbridge, said these bills set a bad precedent.
“What we are talking about is a city and its sovereignty,” Jones said. “This is a process that’s been put in place unlike any other this capitol has ever seen before.”
Jones wasn’t alone in opposing the move. Stockbridge’s mayor has also spoken against it. Other Henry County cities, Locust Grove and Hampton, passed resolutions opposing the move as well.
Steve Hutchison, Hampton’s mayor, said he worries about the financial viability of adding a new city.
“My main reason is because the city of Hampton would lose money if we add another city to Henry Count,” Hutchison said. “We’re just barely making it now.”
He said the city would have to split tax revenue and may even be forced to incorporate a property tax on city residents.
Eagle’s Landing would take some of its land from unincorporated Henry County as well.
The state House is entertaining its own set of Eagle’s Landing bills.
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