Gwinnett Magazine, Leaders & Legends: Phillip Beard

Gwinnett Daily Post, Buford's Phillip Beard is longest serving city official in Gwinnett County at 46 years and counting

Phillip is originally from Buford, as is his wife. He graduated from Buford High School in 1958 and has a bachelor’s degree from Georgia University.

Phillip Beard is currently the City Commissioner representing Buford. He was first elected in 1975 and has been in office for 48 years, serving 48 terms.

As of August 29, 2023, Phillip Beard did not have a website or any information online.

Natural Resources & the Environment

Housing & Urban Development

As commissioner, disbanded Buford police force to ease budget constraints.

- As commissioner, disbanded Buford police force to ease budget constraints.

Public Safety

Buford City Schools, Phillip Beard Bio

Supports continued funding of fine arts programs.

As commissioner, reallocated police dollars towards Buford schools, helping the school district rank first in Georgia.

As commissioner, helped to maintain constant tax and utility rates since 1973.

- Supports continued funding of fine arts programs.
- As commissioner, reallocated police dollars towards Buford schools, helping the school district rank first in Georgia.
- As commissioner, helped to maintain constant tax and utility rates since 1973.

Public Services

As commissioner, led redesign of the city's utilities system.

- As commissioner, led redesign of the city's utilities system.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Phillip Beard

Phillip Beard is currently City Commissioner representing Buford.  He was first elected in 1975 and has been in office for 48 years, serving 48 terms.

As of August 29, 2023, Phillip Beard’s website did not contain information on this issue and Phillip Beard did not complete our questionnaire.

- Disbanded Buford police force to ease budget constraints

- Supports continued funding of fine arts programs
- Reallocated police dollars towards Buford schools, helping the school district rank first in Georgia
- Has helped to maintain constant tax and utility rates since 1973

- Led redesign of the city's utilities system

- Disbanded Buford Police Force to ease budget constraints

- Supports continued funding of fine arts programs
- Reallocated police dollars towards Buford City schools, which has been ranked the number one school system in Georgia
- Has helped to maintain constant tax and utility rates since 1973

- City commissioners work together with the rest of the commission to set and implement city policy. 
- The city commission is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City commissioners work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City commissioners represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city commissioners in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 