The Gordon County Board of Commissioners formally set the total millage rate for Gordon County at 22.229 mills, marking the lowest local property tax rates in over a decade. The board adopted a 7.7 mill rate for the Gordon County Government and a 14.529 mill rate for the Board of Education, representing a full rollback. While homesteaded properties will likely see a tax decrease, commercial properties—completely reassessed for the first time since 2018—are facing an increase. The adoption followed a public hearing where no one signed up to speak.
The board voted 5-0 on all matters, including tabling a proposed $106,450 TischlerBise impact fee study to gather more information; sources say commissioners will likely take the issue back up before the year’s end. Additional unanimous approvals included declaring Sheriff’s Office tactical gear as surplus, the $8,000 purchase of a DTE power tilt trailer, updated IT and Acceptable Use Policies featuring new AI guidelines, and a $660,302 Slate Mine Bridge repair contract awarded to SunCoast Restoration & Waterproofing.
August sales tax collections presented at the meeting remained high, with the county reporting $848,280 in LOST (+2.81%), $1,375,273 in SPLOST (+2.6%), and $1,332,540 in new FLOST revenue. While Governor Brian Kemp recently suspended the state motor fuel excise tax, local fuel sales taxes are exempt from the suspension. In July, the state raised the prepaid fuel tax base from $2.49 to the $3.00-per-gallon statutory maximum. Stacked with Gordon County’s 4% total local tax rate, the county continues collecting a combined 12 cents per gallon locally at the pump. This structural hike, combined with ongoing inflation, is the primary reason for the continuous increase in local tax collections.
In infrastructure discussions, the Airport Authority is asking the Board of Commissioners and Calhoun City Council to consider contributing another $200,000 each for additional paving to meet a partial match for state funds. No update was available regarding how much actual revenue the airport generates, and we are continuing to investigate exactly how much taxpayer funding is spent on the local airport facility.
We were joined on air by Gordon County Fire Rescue Chief Heath Derryberry to discuss the department, Fire Safety Month, and their newly delivered 107-foot aerial ladder truck—the largest in Gordon County history. Chief Derryberry previously delivered a departmental update to the commissioners, reporting 3,189 calls for service and 11,941 training hours logged through September. Commissioners also signed a National Fire Prevention Month Proclamation highlighting the safe charging of lithium-ion batteries.
In city news, the Calhoun City Schools Board of Education recently adopted its FY27 millage rate at 10.888 mills, marking their seventh consecutive rollback. Meanwhile, the City of Calhoun Zoning and Planning Commission meets today, October 8th.
We were also joined on air by 4H Director Keaton Hayworth and 4H member Emma Osmanovic, a sophomore at Sonoraville High School. They stopped by to discuss 4H Week and the ongoing produce sale, which features all Georgia-grown produce and directly supports the local club.
A huge congratulations goes out to Tracy Manis, our winner of Dailey and Vincent tickets!! They will be performing tomorrow, October 9, at the GEM Theatre.
Looking at local events, tonight, October 8, kicks off with a free showing of Ghostbusters at the GEM Theatre. Earlier today, the Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library is hosting Children’s Storytime at 10:15 a.m., Baby Lapsit at 10:30 a.m., Adult Mahjong at 2:30 p.m., and Spooky Ponies at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 10, is packed with Rocktober Fest downtown from noon to 8 p.m., the Drive Out Domestic Violence Car Show, and a late-night screening of The Evil Dead.
Next week brings more free movies to the GEM, including House on Haunted Hill on October 13 and The Haunted Mansion on October 15. For the weekend of October 16-17, you can attend the Gordon County Antique Engine & Tractor Club Show. That Saturday, October 17, also features a Fall Recycling Day from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Rock Bridge Community Church, followed by the Hardwired: A Tribute to Metallica concert at the GEM that night.
On October 24, the GEM screens Suspiria. October 26 is the final day to order from the RBMS FFA Holiday meat fundraiser, and it also features a morning presentation of Hispanic Folktales at the GEM. The GEM’s schedule concludes with Edgar Allen Poe stories on October 27, Beetlejuice on October 29, Silver Bullet on October 30, and The Shining on October 31.
Throughout the month, the ongoing Snowman Coloring Contest will continue locally, and the Gordon Central Cheerleading Coke fundraiser is now active on Facebook, where supporters can purchase 24-packs of 20-ounce Coca-Cola products for $27 through their online portal.
In sports, the Atlanta Braves’ season came to an end after falling 4-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLDS at Truist Park. The Dodgers officially closed out the series, eliminating Atlanta and advancing to the NLCS.
Today’s update is sponsored by Hamilton Health – Calhoun, part of Vitruvian Health. Dr. Ted Bowers provides primary care and comprehensive wellness management at the Curtis Parkway clinic. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 762-268-4904 or visiting VitruvianHealth.com/Calhoun.