GA HB1135

Provides a new charter for the Town of Dexter in Laurens County, Georgia, replacing the previous charter approved August 15, 1910, and reincorporating the town as a body politic and corporate

Establishes a governing authority consisting of a mayor (chief executive officer) and five councilmembers, all serving four-year terms with staggered elections held in odd-numbered years; candidates must have been town residents for at least 12 months prior to election

Grants the town broad municipal powers including taxation, zoning, eminent domain, public utilities operation, bonding authority, franchising, business regulation, and the ability to establish and operate police, fire, and other public services

Creates a municipal court presided over by a chief judge (who must be at least 21 years old and a member of the State Bar of Georgia), with authority to impose fines up to $1,000 and imprisonment up to 180 days per offense

Establishes financial governance procedures including annual independent audits, operating and capital budgets submitted by the mayor at least 60 days before each fiscal year, and mayoral veto power over ordinances that can be overridden by four council votes