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Department Spotlights
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes to keep Norcross thriving? Georgia Cities Week is the perfect time to find out! From April 20 through April 26, we’re celebrating the people, services and achievements that make our city great. To kick things off, hear from our city departments about the vital roles they play in keeping everything running smoothly!
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The City Clerk maintains records, manages public meetings, oversees local elections and ensures fair and secure voting, all while supporting the Mayor and Council.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
Our biggest challenges include keeping up with evolving election laws, balancing multiple responsibilities with limited staff and resources and ensuring consistency in processes amid high employee turnover. Despite these hurdles, we remain committed to serving Norcross residents with accuracy, transparency and professionalism.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
The City Clerk’s Department plays a vital role in residents’ daily lives by managing legislation approved by the Mayor and Council, coordinating record requests, and ensuring seamless communication with state and county election officials to keep the community informed and prepared for local elections.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
Our department is working on implementing new software for agendas and minutes to improve efficiency and enhance public access to meetings and documents.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with the City Clerk’s Department by visiting our webpage to learn more about our work, reaching out via email, phone or in person with questions or suggestions, and attending City Council Meetings to stay informed and involved in local governance.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The City Manager oversees daily operations to ensure all city functions run smoothly and efficiently
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
With a highly mobile workforce in a competitive metro area, attracting and retaining talent remains a challenge. Additionally, balancing growing demands with limited resources requires us to work efficiently and effectively to best serve the community.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
The City Manager impacts daily life by supporting essential services like power, garbage collection, policing, code enforcement and park maintenance, while keeping elected officials informed to make decisions that benefit the community.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
We are addressing deferred maintenance on roads, stormwater infrastructure and buildings by leveraging federal and state funding to accelerate improvements. Additionally, we have designed a new Public Safety Building to support the long-term needs of our Police Department and Municipal Court, with construction set to begin in the coming months.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with our department by using the SeeClickFix app to report issues, attending public meetings to share ideas and concerns, or reaching out via email or in person at City Hall.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Communications Department serves as the central hub for outgoing communications and provides consulting to other city departments on their communication needs. We oversee public relations, marketing, branding, design, social media, and web management to ensure effective and consistent messaging to the public.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
One of our biggest challenges is balancing transparency and the free flow of information with the constraints of a limited budget and platform limitations. Despite having one of the smallest budgets in Gwinnett, we manage to promote a wide range of services and events creatively. Another challenge is maintaining fairness and objectivity when approached by local businesses and organizations seeking promotional help, as we must adhere to a strict policy that ensures we fulfill our responsibilities to the community with integrity and transparency.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
The Communications Department impacts residents’ daily lives by ensuring they receive timely information through various channels, such as the utility bill newsletter, website updates on trash collection, alerts about road closures and event announcements. We are available 24/7 to distribute important city information on trusted platforms, keeping residents informed as they go about their daily routines.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
We are currently focused on supporting other departments' initiatives, such as developing new designs and messaging for exciting events, assisting Human Resources with the launch of a staff intranet, and upgrading the virtual museum website for the Welcome Center. Additionally, we are working on several collaborative projects that will be unveiled soon.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with our department by emailing us at communication@norcrossga.net for quicker responses or by messaging us on social media. To stay informed, we encourage residents to explore subscription opportunities at norcrossga.net/signup and select the platforms and categories that best match their interests.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Community Development Department promotes and protects the city by implementing sustainable building, planning, and development practices, including zoning assessments, plan reviews and construction site inspections.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
One of the biggest challenges the department faces is balancing growth with sustainability while designing spaces that meet the diverse needs of the city's residents.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
The Community Development Department impacts residents by supporting citizen-led boards that provide policy recommendations to the Mayor & Council, including the Planning and Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, Architectural Review Board and Tree Preservation Board.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
We are developing a Safe Streets for All, also known as SS4A, Safety Action Plan to enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians citywide. Additionally, we are working on recertification for the city's Platinum Green Communities status with the Atlanta Regional Commission.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with our department by visiting the office during weekdays or attending Board meetings for any of the supported Boards mentioned above.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
Court Service’s primary role is to provide fair and consistent adjudication of cases, while building community trust through communication, education and innovation.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
Our biggest challenges include educating the public about the consequences of not attending court for ticket violations and managing large court crowds in a small space.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
We primarily impact drivers' records by adjudicating or closing tickets, which may affect their insurance rates based on the citation.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
My team and I continually brainstorm ways to improve the court experience, aiming to make it as pleasant and less stressful as possible for those who must attend.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents are encouraged to visit me in person to discuss any concerns, but for those unable to do so, they can always email me at court@norcrossga.net. I welcome all feedback.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Downtown Manager's role is to serve as the liaison between downtown businesses and the City, fostering growth and collaboration. Additionally, the Cultural Arts and Community Center enhances the city by hosting events, promoting tourism and managing the Welcome Center & History Museum to showcase Norcross's history and culture.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
One of the biggest challenges we face at the Cultural Arts and Community Center is managing the scheduling and coordination of numerous events while operating seven days a week with a small staff. Despite this, our dedicated team ensures all events run smoothly and efficiently.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
Our department impacts residents by planning and executing a variety of events that promote Norcross as a top tourism destination, boosting the local economy. We also collaborate with downtown businesses to create vibrant events, enhancing the area as a desirable place to live, work and play.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
Our department is planning renovations to the Rectory to preserve this historic building for future generations. Additionally, we are working on initiatives to promote Norcross to a broader audience through online platforms and strategic partnerships.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with our department by visiting the Welcome Center & History Museum or contacting us via email or phone with any questions or inquiries. We welcome all feedback and encourage community involvement.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Economic Development Department promotes business growth in Norcross by attracting investments that create jobs, boost the tax base and enhance the local economy, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents and visitors.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
One of the biggest challenges in Economic Development is the competition among cities to attract and retain businesses in the area.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
The Economic Development team plays a key role behind the scenes, working with new businesses and assisting existing ones with relocation or expansion, which impacts residents by fostering a thriving local economy.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
We are improving our business retention and expansion program to strengthen connections with existing businesses in the city.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Finance Department safeguards the city's fiscal integrity by developing and implementing sound financial policies and practices.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
The biggest challenges we face are balancing budgets with increasing service demands, ensuring long-term fiscal stability, addressing cybersecurity threats and streamlining operations through technology.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
The Finance Department impacts residents by funding essential services and managing local revenues and expenses, ensuring the city’s financial stability and effective operation.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
We are working on process improvements in Accounts Payable by implementing electronic payments to vendors and enhancing the Business Tax and Licenses division to streamline the application and renewal of business licenses.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with the Finance Department through our commitment to transparency and accountability, which builds public trust in local government. Monthly financial reports and annual independent audits are available to ensure sound financial practices and provide insight into the city's fiscal health.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Human Resources Department recruits and hires employees while ensuring the city remains compliant with all state and federal employment laws.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
One of the biggest challenges our department faces is recruiting qualified candidates in a competitive job market.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
The city’s job portal impacts residents by providing easy access to employment opportunities, from administrative roles to public safety positions. Residents can view and apply for open positions at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/norcrossga
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
We are currently working on implementing a centralized application process to streamline and improve efficiency.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with our department through the city’s newsletter and website, which provide updates and information specifically related to Human Resources.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Norcross Police Department provides 24/7 protection and law enforcement, safeguarding life and property, preserving peace, preventing crime and ensuring the rights of all residents, businesses and visitors.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
The Norcross Police Department faces challenges in recruiting and retaining officers, implementing effective crime prevention strategies, embracing new technology and strengthening relationships with the community.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
The Norcross Police Department enhances residents' daily lives by enforcing laws, ensuring safety and engaging with the community through crime prevention programs. Our officers work closely with residents, business owners and visitors to address concerns, build positive relationships and implement solutions to maintain a safe and secure environment.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
Our biggest project is the future Public Safety Building on Buford Hwy. at Stevens Rd., which will house both courts and police services. Updates can be found at norcrossga.net/publicsafetybuilding
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with our department by visiting the City of Norcross website at www.norcrossga.net, contacting us by phone at 770-448-2111 for both emergency and non-emergency needs, or reaching out to Community Outreach Officer MPO Steven Nguyen at 770-549-3414 or steven.nguyen@norcrosspd.com.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Norcross Power Department provides reliable, clean electricity to residents and businesses, ensuring consistent service and fast restoration during storms.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
Rising operational costs, especially for natural gas and nuclear fuel, are a major challenge in electricity production.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
Norcross Power provides the energy that supports your daily activities, from waking up with your alarm clock to enjoying a cup of coffee with the lights on.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
Norcross Power is focused on safety, operational excellence and growth. We’ve enhanced lineman safety training, completed pole and transformer inspections to improve reliability, and are collaborating with Economic Development to forecast energy needs for our growing city.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can easily engage with Norcross Power by calling or emailing us. All contact information is available on our website.
1. What is your department’s primary role in serving the city?
The Public Works Department maintains roads, sidewalks, facilities, stormwater systems, parks, city fleet and right-of way areas while managing capital projects and contracting.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges your department faces?
One of the biggest challenges we face is maintaining aging city-wide infrastructure, as the costs often exceed available resources. Ongoing planning and preventative maintenance are essential to ensuring its success.
3. How does your department impact residents’ daily lives in ways they may not realize?
Public Works impacts residents' daily lives by maintaining essential infrastructure such as roads, parks, stormwater systems and waste disposal, all of which contribute to the community’s safety, quality of life, and overall well-being.
4. What improvements or initiatives are you currently working on?
We are working on road resurfacing, stormwater pipe improvements, pedestrian railroad crossings, crosswalk signage upgrades, park enhancement and the 3.3-mile Norcross Beaver Ruin Greenway to improve infrastructure and connectivity.
5. How can residents better engage with your department or provide feedback?
Residents can engage with Public Works and provide feedback through the SeeClickFix app, which has proven to be an effective tool for addressing concerns and requests.