BOC Property Tax Meeting

Whitfield County Board of Commissioners property-tax public hearing, September 29, 2026. The commission reviewed the county’s property-tax finances and heard public comments on a possible millage-rate increase. The presentation compared the current 4.6-mill rate with options from 5.6 up to the advertised maximum of 8.0; commissioners took no action on the rate at this hearing, with action planned after public comment at the 6 p.m. meeting. The agenda was approved by motion and second, reported as passing 4–0. The presentation cited an estimated $10.4 million budget impact from rising health-care costs and reduced revenues. Residents urged spending cuts and greater transparency, and discussed alternatives such as a sales tax to offset property taxes.

Capital and facility spending also came up in the discussion. The chair said the proposed Dalton State use of the Dalton Convention Center could have saved the city and county a combined $12 million over 10 years, but the city and trade center board vetoed the agreement. The chair clarified that the Westside project is funded by SPLOST and Prater’s Mill by a grant, not property taxes. During public comment, a resident cited a sewer-line project initially discussed at $1.2 million and later contracted at $770,000; another questioned the cost of a Westside construction contract, citing approximately $11 million. No procurement award or spending motion was taken at this hearing.