Gordon County officials are recommending a significant reduction in the county’s property tax rate, with a proposed Maintenance and Operations millage rate of 7.7 mills presented during Tuesday night’s Board of Commissioners meeting.
If adopted, the 7.7-mill rate would continue a decade-long downward trend in Gordon County’s millage rate and represent one of the county’s largest reductions in years.
Gordon County’s M&O rate stood at 9.747 mills in 2015 before declining to 9.042 mills in 2024 and 2025. County officials said 2002 was the last year Gordon County had a millage rate lower than the proposed 7.7 mills.
A major factor behind the reduction is revenue generated by the Flexible Local Option Sales Tax, or FLOST.
Gordon County voters approved the one-percent FLOST in November 2025, and collections began Jan. 1, 2026. Revenue from the tax is dedicated to reducing property taxes.
According to county officials, Gordon County received $4,087,386 during the first five months of FLOST collections. That revenue would effectively roll the millage rate back to approximately 7.84 mills.
However, county officials are recommending commissioners go beyond the reduction generated by FLOST and set the final M&O rate at 7.7 mills.
The impact could translate into substantial savings for some homeowners.
When the proposed county reduction is combined with state tax relief measures and an anticipated rollback by the county school system, officials estimate a homestead property valued at $250,000 could see its property tax bill decrease by approximately $618 compared with last year.
While providing tax relief, county leaders said the proposed rate is also being calculated with future expenses in mind.
Among those expenses is staffing the planned Sugar Valley Fire Station once construction is completed. County officials say the station represents an initial step toward improving fire protection and addressing high ISO ratings in remote areas of Gordon County.
Officials said the county must also maintain its ability to respond to continued growth, fund public safety, retain qualified employees and manage uncertainty associated with state tax policies and property assessment appeals.
Additional property tax relief could also be possible in future years.
Because FLOST collections did not begin until January, the county has not yet received a full year of revenue from the tax. County officials said a full year of collections during the 2026-27 period will be used toward property tax relief during next year’s tax cycle.
If FLOST collections continue near their initial pace, officials believe the county could have a significant recurring sales tax revenue source available to support additional millage reductions, depending on actual collections and applicable state law.
The recommendation before the Gordon County Board of Commissioners is to adopt the 7.7-mill M&O rate, providing an immediate tax reduction while maintaining funding for county services and future needs.