BUFORD — On Aug. 27, 1975, Phillip Beard was elected to the Buford City Commission. Fifty years later, he remains at the helm, a rarity in public service and a milestone that underscores his role as one of the most influential figures in Buford’s transformation from a textile town to a thriving suburban community.

By charter, the commission chair also helms the Buford Board of Education. Beard assumed that role in 1979 and has never stepped aside. The result has been unusually stable leadership and a governance model that closely links city hall and the school system — a pairing that has defined Buford’s success.

From mill town to modern suburb

When Beard took office, Buford’s population stood at just over 3,500. Downtown reflected its textile roots, and the schools were modest in scope.

By the 1980s and 1990s, suburban expansion from Atlanta began to reach North Gwinnett. Interstate 85 and Lake Lanier drew families north, subdivisions spread quickly and Buford’s population surpassed 10,000. Today, more than 17,000 residents call Buford home.

Through each wave of growth, the city expanded its infrastructure in step, adding roads, scaling utilities and investing in recreation, all under Beard’s watch.

Financial discipline and foresight

Central to his leadership has been a commitment to financial discipline. Beard’s guiding philosophy is simple: build within your means, invest wisely and reinvest locally.

Buford is unusual among Georgia cities in that it maintains one of the lowest millage rates in the state and carries little to no debt. Instead, the city funds projects largely out of reserves and steady revenues from its utilities.

According to the 2024 audited financial report, Buford’s property tax rate dipped slightly from 12.55 mills to 12.50 mills. For fiscal year 2025, operating revenue was projected at $111.6 million, fueled in large part by utility revenues from electric, gas, water, sewer and garbage services.

That model has allowed Buford to build state-of-the-art facilities while keeping the tax burden low for residents.

Schools as the city’s centerpiece

If Buford’s financial health is one pillar of Beard’s impact, its schools are the other. As school board chair, he has championed long-term investments in academics, arts, athletics and career pathways.

The results are striking. Buford now graduates 95 to 96% of its seniors, math proficiency hovers near 70% and national rankings place the district among the best in the United States.

Facilities have kept pace, too. Campuses have been repeatedly rebuilt and expanded, with the new 10,000-seat Phillip Beard Stadium opening this year and serving as both a community hub and a testament to Beard’s long-term planning.

“Buford City Schools would not be as successful as it is today without everyone in the community pulling together, and Mr. Beard is keenly aware of this,” school board member Bruce Fricks said.

A leader who listens

Fricks said Beard’s leadership style is as important as his policies.

“One simple way you can see how community is built over time is how Mr. Beard runs either a City Commission or School Board meeting,” Fricks said. “At the end of the meeting, he solicits questions from anyone in the room. That is very different from many other public meetings, where elected officials create time limits and processes that make it harder for community members to be heard.

“That doesn’t mean there is agreement every time someone voices an opinion,” Fricks added. “But it does make it easier for everyone in the community to participate in making our community and schools better.”

Fricks said Beard’s influence has shaped his own approach to service. 

“I learn a lot from Phillip Beard and consider myself a better board member because of his wisdom over the years,” he said. 

Preserving identity while embracing growth

As Buford has grown into a modern suburb, Beard has worked to preserve its small-town character. From schools to downtown, his approach has been to balance progress with tradition, ensuring that growth strengthens rather than erases the city’s identity.

Today, Beard’s name is etched on Buford’s new stadium, while his true legacy lies in the stability and prosperity of the community he has helped build.

Behind the lights and the turf is the story of a leader who believed in discipline, foresight and community. His 50 years of service remind Buford that progress built on strong foundations can stand the test of time.