A proposal to create a new sales tax aimed at reducing property taxes will soon be in the hands of Gordon County voters.
During a rare joint meeting Monday night at the Depot on South King Street, the Gordon County Board of Commissioners and Calhoun City Council unanimously approved a resolution to place the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The FLOST was made possible under Georgia’s recent House Bill 581, which introduced changes to the state’s property tax system. If approved, the one-cent sales tax would be collected countywide for five years and used exclusively to lower millage rates.
Calhoun Mayor Jimmy Palmer said, “This is something the state allowed us to do recently, and this is simply an opportunity for voters to decide how they would like to address property taxes — leave the system as it is, or impose a one-cent sales tax that would go toward property tax relieve, 100%.”
Commission Chairman Bud Owens reiterated Palmer’s statement and also noted the local Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) for schools: “This is an opportunity that we will have in November to cast a vote on two highly important penny taxes: the new FLOST penny which is specifically dedicated to lowering property tax — every penny of that has to be spent for that; and then we have the ESPLOST that is up for a re-vote for it to continue that is important too, because it funds our schools.”
If FLOST is approved, funds would be divided by an intergovernmental agreement: Gordon County (63%), Calhoun (35%), Fairmount (1.4%), and Plainville (0.6%). County officials estimate a FLOST could lower the government portion of the millage rate by three to four mills, while Calhoun officials estimate their portion could potentially be lowered to zero.
Officials also noted that a significant portion of Gordon County’s sales tax—estimated at 40–50%—comes from non-residents, due in part to the county’s location along the interstate, meaning local property owners could benefit from tax dollars paid largely by visitors.
The ballot question, as read during the meeting, is expected to appear as follows:
“Shall a special 1% sales and use tax be imposed for five years, within the special district of Gordon County with the proceeds used exclusively — 100% — to reduce property taxes imposed by Gordon County, and the cities of Calhoun, Plainville, and Fairmount?”
The measure will now be decided by Gordon County voters in the November election.
