A team of residents will weigh in on County government priorities before Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson proposes the 2026 budget.

Gwinnett County department directors and elected officials will present their 2026 business plans to a Citizens Budget Review Team beginning today. Following the series of presentations, Chairwoman Hendrickson and the group will evaluate the needs of the departments and agencies that provide services to Gwinnett residents, businesses and visitors. From there, the team will recommend funding priorities from the viewpoint of a resident.

“Gwinnett residents are integral to shaping our County's future through their participation in the budget process,” said Hendrickson. "By engaging this team of resident reviewers, we're committing to transparency and accountability — and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are invested in programs and services that will help our residents and businesses thrive."

Team members David Cuffie, Michael Park, Denise Rumbaugh and Ronald S. Skeete will again lend their expertise. Cuffie is CEO of Total Vision Consulting LLC and director of church ministries for Berean Christian Church Gwinnett. Park, who assists clients with commercial insurance and risk management needs, is a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett and a strong advocate for Atlanta’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Rumbaugh, a member of the Gwinnett County Zoning Board of Appeals, provides service to the community by advocating for students in Gwinnett County Public Schools, where she serves on the Disciplinary Action Committee. Skeete is an experienced nonprofit executive who has helped transform communities for the better while also serving as a member of 100 Black Men of North Metro Atlanta, where he volunteers to coordinate programs that serve youth across Cobb, Gwinnett and Fulton counties.

On-demand videos of the budget presentations will be available on the County's website following each day’s presentations. The business plans will also be available on the County’s government access channel TV Gwinnett.

The Chairwoman’s proposed 2026 budget will be available to the public and news media when presented to board members in November. Per County ordinance, the Board of Commissioners must adopt the annual budget during its first meeting in January.