LAWRENCEVILLE — The Georgia Supreme Court will not weigh in on Gwinnett’s service dispute with local cities.

The court’s justices declined to hear an appeal in the lawsuit between the county government and 15 cities over the sharing of services, clearing the way for the groups to continue settlement talks.

After a judge ruled that the county cannot dedicate a host of fees to services devoted solely to county residents, the decision could also mean the end to a proposal to set higher county tax rates for people who live inside city limits.

Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson, who is president of the Gwinnett Municipal Association, was not available for comment Tuesday.

“Although we were hopeful that the Supreme Court would hear this appeal, it does not change the posture of the underlying case, as the case remains pending in the trial court,” County Administrator Glenn Stephens said. “However, we remain hopeful that new discussions with the municipalities will result in a resolution of this matter without need of further intervention by the courts and will result in a Service Delivery Strategy beneficial for all residents of Gwinnett County.”