Welcome to the Georgia 101.7 News Update, I’m Brent. We have a packed broadcast for you this morning, covering how your local tax dollars are being spent, the overnight arrest report, and the final tallies from yesterday’s midterm elections.
First, let’s look at the Gordon County checkbook. The Board of Commissioners held their regular session last night, and they just green-lit several major budget amendments.
According to County Administrator Jim Ledbetter’s report, Local Option Sales Tax—or LOST—collections came in at over $858,000 for September, which is an 8.66% increase over last year. The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, our SPLOST, brought in nearly $1.4 million, an 8.8% jump, while the Floating Local Option Sales Tax added another $1.33 million.
If you are wondering how those tax revenues are up that high, it comes down to inflation and the 12-cent per gallon sales tax increase on fuel. Gordon County residents are paying more in sales taxes while actually buying less. Everything costs more, so the tax percentage pulls a bigger number out of your pocket.
Because of that extra revenue, the Board approved some highly specific reallocations for both the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 budgets. Here is exactly where your money is going:
For the current FY26 budget, they are moving over $543,000 in the General Fund, mostly to cover health insurance shortages and to spend nearly $350,000 on new Community Development software. They are pulling $230,794 from the Clerk’s Image Fund to refurbish plat books and buy a custom wood flag for the courthouse, and tapping the Condemnation Fund for over $114,000 to cover seizure reimbursements and buy a new vehicle. As for those excess FLOST collections, over $553,000 is being sent directly to the cities of Calhoun, Plainville, and Fairmount.
Looking ahead to the FY27 budget, the Board approved over $732,000 in General Fund amendments. That includes nearly $471,000 for new IT servers, over $165,000 for Public Works paving materials, and $27,500 for dirt at the Community Event Center arena. Additionally, $20,000 from the Fire Fund will be used to purchase new flame-resistant uniforms for our firefighters.
Before we head to the ballot box, let’s check the overnight jail media report from the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office. Here is your latest arrest rundown:
Jesse Castillo, 46, Taylorsville, GCSO, Bench Warrant O/C: Poss Meth, Firearm Dur Crime, Weavi.
Jerre Mendell Lewis, 47, Adairsville, CPD, Failure to Maintain Lane, Improper Left or Right Turn, Possession of Cocaine.
Darryl James McGlamry, 63, Pompano Beach, CPD, Driving Under the Influence, Drugs Not in Original Container, Failure to Maintain Lane, Poss of THC Wax, Dabs, Tetrahydrocannabinol, Possession and Use of Drug Related Objects, Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance: Adderall, Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance: Alprazolam, Possession of Cocaine, Trafficking in Ecstasy.
Turning now from the police blotter to the voting booth, we have the official results from yesterday’s midterm elections. Starting right here at home, Gordon County had just over 46% voter turnout for this year’s General Election, with 19,038 of our 41,140 registered voters casting ballots.
Locally, Gordon County Commissioner Chad Steward, a Republican representing District 2, easily won re-election over his Democrat challenger Joshua L. Boling with 75% of the total vote. Following his win, Steward released a statement saying:
“I am truly humbled and grateful for the support, encouragement, and trust you have shown me throughout this journey. This victory would not have been possible without each and every one of you. Thank you for believing in me, standing beside me, and taking the time to make your voices heard. I am honored by this opportunity and look forward to serving our community for another four years.”
In another local win, State Representative Matt Barton, a Republican for District 5, won Gordon County over Democrat Rasmus Jensen with around 74% of the local vote. For a full list of Gordon County results, you can visit the county’s website at www.gordoncountyga.gov/m/
Statewide, Democrats swept the major executive offices, bringing a new administration to the Capitol. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is Georgia’s new governor, defeating Republican Rick Jackson with 55% of the vote overall. However, Jackson was heavily favored locally, winning Gordon County with about 76% of the local vote.
Here are the final percentages for the rest of your major statewide offices:
U.S. Senate: Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff defeated Republican Mike Collins, 59.00% to 41.00%.
Lieutenant Governor: Democrat Josh McLaurin defeated Republican Greg Dolezal, 55.94% to 44.06%.
Secretary of State: Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds defeated Republican Tim Fleming, 55.67% to 44.33%.
Attorney General: Democrat Tanya Miller defeated Republican Brian Strickland, 55.53% to 44.47%.
Commissioner of Agriculture: Democrat Katherine E. Juhan-Arnold defeated Republican Tyler Harper, 53.83% to 46.17%.
Commissioner of Insurance: Democrat Keisha Sean Waites defeated Republican John King, 54.28% to 45.72%.
State School Superintendent: Democrat Lydia Powell defeated Republican Richard Woods, 54.60% to 45.40%.
Commissioner of Labor: Democrat Nikki Porcher defeated Republican Bárbara Rivera Holmes, 54.62% to 45.38%.
Public Service Commission (District 3): Democrat Peter Hubbard defeated Republican Fitz Johnson, 56.38% to 43.62%.
Public Service Commission (District 5): Democrat Shelia Edwards defeated Republican Josh Tolbert, 55.31% to 44.69%.
And rounding out our legislative district coverage:
Georgia House District 11: Republican John Cowan secured a victory with 55.36% of the vote over Democrat Chris Harden at 44.64%.
We will keep breaking down what this political shift means for the state throughout the morning, but for now, let’s grab a quick check of your local traffic and weather.