The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved several items during its June 3 meeting to support residents through expanded court services and continued investments in infrastructure. Highlights include nearly $1.4 million in grant funding for accountability court programs and new contracts to improve traffic flow along key corridors.

Grant funding supports residents in recovery, treatment and diversion programs

Gwinnett will receive seven grants from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to continue supporting local accountability courts in Superior, State and Juvenile Court. The programs serve residents navigating substance use, mental health challenges and recovery.

The funding, totaling more than $911,000, will go toward treatment services, drug testing supplies, training and personnel. Each grant includes a 15% in-kind local match, covered through existing staff salaries.

Programs supported by this funding include:

• Adult Drug Court: Celebrating its 20th year, the program has 134 participants and 492 graduates.

• DUI Court: Also marking two decades, this program has 55 participants and 770 graduates.

• Mental Health Court: In operation since 2013, the court has 29 participants and 112 graduates.

• Veterans’ Treatment Court (Superior Court): Ten years strong, this program has 11 participants and 44 graduates.

• Veterans’ Intervention Program (State Court): Certified in 2019, the court currently serves six participants.

• Juvenile Drug Court & Behavioral Health Court: These two programs serve a combined 12 participants.

• Juvenile Family Treatment Court: Launched in 2020, the court has six active participants and four graduates.

Juvenile Justice grant expands services for youth

The Board also approved the acceptance of the Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant for just under $480,000, with no local match required.

The funding will support evidence-based programs for medium- to high-risk youth in Juvenile Court, including therapies such as Multisystemic Therapy, Thinking for a Change, Seven Challenges and Aggression Replacement Training. Services will be delivered in partnership with CHRIS 180, a nonprofit organization focused on healing children, strengthening families and building community.

Traffic projects aim to improve flow and safety

A contract was awarded to Reedwick, LLC for a little more than $1.3 million to expand the County’s Intelligent Transportation System along Singleton Road and South Norcross-Tucker Road. The project includes installing fiber, cameras and signal upgrades to allow for real-time traffic monitoring. Funding comes from an 80/20 split between the Georgia Department of Transportation and the 2017 SPLOST program.

In a related item, the Board also approved an agreement with GDOT outlining the construction procedures for the project. GDOT will contribute $1 million, and Gwinnett will provide the remaining $265,000 through SPLOST funds.

Roundabout coming to Hutchins Road at Oak Road

To help improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection of Hutchins Road and Oak Road, the Board awarded a $2.56 million construction contract to Backbone Infrastructure, LLC. The project will add a roundabout, lighting, drainage improvements and curb upgrades. Funding is provided through the 2023 SPLOST program.