AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Arefeen earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in biology, as well as a graduate certificate in disaster management and his master's in business administration (MBA) from Georgia State University. Chowdhury lives in Lawrenceville with his wife, Maliha, and their daughter.

Arefeen currently works as a financial planning and analysis manager at ABM Industries and teaches as an adjunct professor of microbiology and general biology at Gwinnett Technical College. He previously worked as a financial analyst and risk manager at several major companies, including Amazon and Mercedes-Benz.

Ballotpedia

Arefeen Chowdhury ran to represent district 105 in the Georgia House of Representatives in 2022 but was disqualified from the general election.

Candidate website

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The candidate's website says, "By extending weekend hours, simplifying the online payment system, and making official tax documents available upon request in various languages, we can better serve the growing diverse population in Gwinnett."

Promises to enhance customer service by expanding weekend hours, simplifying the online payment system, and making official tax documents available in multiple languages.

Said, "I will work to reduce taxes by identifying waste and ensuring our resources are used wisely. I will also perform a complete audit of our tax code and tax calculations."

Promises to reduce taxes by minimizing waste and auditing the county financial plan and tax code."

Said, "I will ensure our office seeks and utilizes all options available to ease the burden of taxes on our citizens while also lobbying for new exemptions. I will be YOUR advocate."

Promises to lobby for new exemptions to save taxpayer money.

Supports increasing cybersecurity measures to ensure taxpayers' financial information remains private.

- Promises to enhance customer service by expanding weekend hours, simplifying the online payment system, and making official tax documents available in multiple languages.
- Promises to reduce taxes by minimizing waste and auditing the county financial plan and tax code."
- Promises to lobby for new exemptions to save taxpayer money.
- Supports increasing cybersecurity measures to ensure taxpayers' financial information remains private.

Administration

Arefeen Chowdhury

Denise holds a bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Georgia State University and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University. She resides in Snellville, and is married to her husband, with whom they have two daughters, and two grandchildren. Their family attends Annistown Road Church in Snellville. She is a board member of the Tax Commissioners' Technology Development Council of Georgia and a member of the Georgia Tax Officials Association (GATO). She has also volunteered with the Gwinnett Tax Team's Relay for Life.

Prior to serving as Tax Commissioner, Denise has experience working in the Gwinnett Tax Commissioner's Office, serving roles as an Accounting Supervisor and Manager and as Director of Finance and Accounting. 

Denise Mitchell is the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner. She was elected to this position in 2022. 

Said, "​My personal commitment to our Gwinnett neighbors is to constantly look for and implement ways to enhance the Customer Service experience. I will continue to pioneer new technologies and communication tools that make our office user-friendly."

Committed to improving customer service in the Tax Office. 

Currently in the process of modernizing the operations in the tax commissioner's office, working with IT and Cybersecurity professionals to update software, enhancing county tax collection operations, and provide greater protection of the privacy and data of county citizens. 

Wants to promote housing affordability by educating current and prospective homeowners on the homestead exemption and other property tax exemption related programs.

Advocates for youth mentorship through job opportunities and internships.

- Committed to improving customer service in the Tax Office. 
- Currently in the process of modernizing the operations in the tax commissioner's office, working with IT and Cybersecurity professionals to update software, enhancing county tax collection operations, and provide greater protection of the privacy and data of county citizens. 
- Wants to promote housing affordability by educating current and prospective homeowners on the homestead exemption and other property tax exemption related programs.
- Advocates for youth mentorship through job opportunities and internships.

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Denise Mitchell

Tax Commissioners are elected at the county level, and their job is to oversee most phases of the taxing process. These responsibilities include billing, collecting, processing, and distributing taxes. They are generally in charge of property taxes, solid waste fees, public utilities, and renewing your vehicle tag. Notably, the Tax Commissioner does not determine how much taxes you pay. Because taxes are a source of revenue for counties, the tax commissioners’ work is ultimately beneficial to individual cities, education, transportation, and other local services. In addition to administering tax laws, the department is responsible for enforcing laws and  regulations pertaining to the control of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in Georgia as well as motor vehicle license plate and title administration.

Gwinnett Tax Commissioner

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Administration