The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Gordon County and surrounding Northwest Georgia communities today, Wednesday, September 2, from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM EDT. Mid-90s afternoon temperatures paired with elevated humidity will push heat index values between 105 and 107 degrees. Emergency management officials urge residents and outdoor laborers to exercise extreme caution by hydrating frequently, remaining in air-conditioned spaces, scheduling regular shade breaks, and checking on vulnerable neighbors, children, and pets.
Local taxpayers are slated to receive substantial relief as the Gordon County Board of Commissioners formally recommends a property tax rollback to 7.7 mills for the 2026 Maintenance and Operations rate. If adopted, this will represent the county’s lowest millage rate since 2002, continuing a downward trajectory from 9.042 mills over the past two years. The reduction is driven by the voter-approved one-percent Flexible Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST), which generated $4,087,386 across its first five operating months to directly lower property taxes to an effective 7.84 mills, with commissioners opting to roll the rate back even further. Combined with state tax relief measures and an anticipated county school rollback, owners of an average $250,000 homestead property will see their tax bill drop by approximately $618 compared to last year. County officials noted that the rollback is carefully balanced to fund future staffing for the planned Sugar Valley Fire Station to help lower fire insurance ratings in outlying areas. County Administrator Jim Ledbetter announced the formal adoption schedule: public hearings are set for Tuesday, September 15 at 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM, followed by a third hearing and final vote at the first commission meeting in October before tax bills mail late next month.
Sales tax collections for July 2026 (remitted in August) reflected slight declines across traditional streams:
Local Option Sales Tax (LOST): Brought in $858,167 ($836,373 base plus $21,794 in energy excise), reflecting a 0.5% decrease of $4,428 year-over-year.
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST): Totaled $1,395,509 ($1,370,933 base plus $24,576 in energy excise), down 0.5% or $7,310 compared to last year.
Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST): Collected $1,379,153 for July, continuing to build dedicated property tax relief reserves.
During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners officially proclaimed September as National Recovery Month across Gordon County under the theme “Georgia Recovers,” highlighting substance abuse education and support resources. Longtime staff members were also commended for milestone years of service, led by Byron Sutton (37 years, Fire Department), Jack Jenkins (36 years, Sheriff’s Office), Keith Henson (35 years, Sheriff’s Office), Heath Derryberry (28 years, Fire Department), Adam Dortch and Ron Chance (25 years each, Fire Department), Lesleigh Elias (22 years, District Attorney’s Office), and Jesse Hollingsworth (21 years, Public Works).
In his administrative report, Jim Ledbetter announced that Public Works dedicated a memorial plaque honoring Steve Parris for his 42 years of service following his passing from brain cancer. Ledbetter also reported that warehouse automation firm Stow has scheduled its grand opening for October 15, and confirmed the Gordon-Floyd Joint Development Authority is reviewing an offer to purchase all remaining authority land in Floyd County.
Under New Business, commissioners approved several key administrative measures:
Addressed rescheduling the start time of the October 6 regular commission meeting.
Nominated a commissioner to serve as Gordon County’s voting delegate at the ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference in Athens on October 8.
Approved an application for the ACCG Employee Safety Grant, noting that countywide safety compliance secured $67,894 in premium discounts on Gordon County’s last billing cycle ($40,503 on workers’ comp and $27,391 on IRMA property/liability coverage).
Approved a responsible party transfer for an off-premises beer and wine license to Ranjan V. Patel for Harry 1201 LLC (dba Allens Mart) at 4782 Red Bud Road.
Approved a $492,889 agreement with Arctiq under the state contract to overhaul the county’s server and storage architecture, consisting of $470,988.47 for HPE ProLiant DL325 servers and Alletra 5030 arrays alongside up to $21,900 for professional Proxmox migration services funded via an FY27 budget amendment.
Granted utility easements along Redbone Ridge Road to North Georgia EMC to power operations for Fidem Energy at the county landfill site.
Approved budgeted FY27 General Fund supplemental allocations for community organizations, including $34,125 for Gordon County Schools Nurse Services, $34,125 for Calhoun City Schools Nurse Services, $9,919 for Hand Up / Voluntary Action Center, $5,000 for Prevent Child Abuse Gordon County, $5,000 for the Calhoun-Gordon Arts Council, and $4,550 for the Winner’s Club.
Approved an agreement with ADP to migrate county payroll systems to Essential Time, generating a recurring annual savings of $9,994.
In regional healthcare, AdventHealth is breaking ground today on a new hospital campus in Murray County, with Governor Brian Kemp attending as the keynote speaker. Scheduled to open in 2028, the 185,000-square-foot complex in Chatsworth will replace the existing facility with a modern 42-bed hospital and medical office building. The project significantly expands local clinical capacity by adding more emergency department rooms, expanded surgical suites, critical care beds, advanced imaging, and a cardiac catheterization lab, with the structure incorporating locally quarried Northwest Georgia stonework.
Economic conditions remain challenging as crude oil and retail fuel prices move sharply higher, spurred by military strikes between the U.S. and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. With Brent crude topping $95 per barrel and WTI exceeding $90, higher diesel rates are driving up expenses for heavy freight along Interstate 75 while raising polymer input costs for local synthetic fiber manufacturers. The energy shock is also impacting Federal Reserve rate expectations heading into the September 15–16 FOMC meeting, where stubborn 3.5% inflation is reinforcing a higher-for-longer policy stance or possible rate hike, keeping area mortgage rates elevated between 6% and 7%.
Compounding domestic pressure, Northwest Georgia’s flooring sector faces escalating trade tariffs with Canada while already managing global duties:
Canadian Counter-Tariffs (Effective Sept. 8): Retaliatory duties on $27.6 billion in U.S. goods impose a 25% tariff on U.S. carpet, a 50% tariff on non-nylon tufted synthetics, and a 50% duty on U.S. PVC floor coverings (LVT, VCT, and sheet vinyl).
U.S. Import Duties: A 50% U.S. tariff on Canadian vinyl tile and synthetic carpets, paired with a 50% duty on Canadian plywood, MDF, and particleboard cores, is driving up raw material costs for local flooring companies producing engineered hardwood and laminate lines.
Global Flooring Duties: Manufacturers continue to absorb 37.5% to 44% cumulative tariffs on Chinese LVP and tile, an 18% duty on Indian rugs, and a 15% tariff on Turkish floor coverings.
Across the local community, numerous events, fundraisers, and seasonal programs are underway:
Keep Calhoun Gordon Beautiful Charity Golf Tournament: Taking place today, Wednesday, September 2, raising funds for Adopt-A-Mile cleanups, tree and flower plantings, landfill compactor recycling, and school environmental education. Organizers recognized Platinum Sponsors US Fibers and Mohawk Industries; Gold Sponsors Southern Wholesale, Capital Waste, and Engineered Floors; and Silver Sponsors Greif Recycling and an anonymous donor. Volunteer inquiries can be directed to keepcalhoungordonbeautiful.org
Harris Arts Center Y’Art Sale: Consignors have until 6:00 PM today, Wednesday, September 2, to submit gently used or original art pieces for the 2026 sale (up to 10 pieces per household with a 50/50 sales split or 100% donation option). Details are available at harrisartscenter.com/yart or 706-629-2599.
Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library: Hosting Stretchband Workout with Nancy at 10:00 AM and Board Games & Cards at 10:30 AM today. The weekly Noni’s Nook Storytime for children ages five and under returns next Tuesday at 10:30 AM.
Voluntary Action Center (VAC) Food Drive: The food pantry is requesting immediate donations of cheese, butter, sour cream, and canned goods to feed local families.
Calhoun Rec Fall Sports Tailgate & Picture Day: Set for Thursday, September 3, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Calhoun Recreation Football Field, celebrating fall sports participants with team photos and youth merchandise vendors.
Gordon Central Football Volunteers: Volunteers are needed for the Warriors’ home opener on Friday, September 4, to work parking, the Chop Shop apparel store, chains crew, and clock operation, with dinner provided at the pre-game tailgate.
Northwest Georgia Fair: Operating September 11 through September 19 at the fairgrounds on Liberty Road off Highway 53 West / Rome Road, opening at 5:00 PM nightly with midway rides, concerts, livestock shows, and the Wall Street parade.
Georgia DNR Hunter Education: In-person certification courses will be held September 23 and 24 from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM at Sonoraville High School.
Bettye Butler 33rd Annual Memorial Unity Run 5K: United Way of Gordon County’s circus-themed “Under the Big Top” 5K run and walk is preparing for its return to Downtown Calhoun.
Drive Out Domestic Violence Car Show: The 2nd Annual Revving Up Awareness charity event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, with vendor registration open at [email protected].
Gordon County Young Farmers: Currently accepting pre-orders for decorative hay bale animals to adorn local businesses and storefronts this autumn.
In Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves fell 9-5 to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night despite solo home runs from Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II. On the basepaths, the Braves did hit two doubles during the matchup—an RBI double by Drake Baldwin in the third inning and a ground-rule double by Matt Olson in the eighth. Because the Braves hit a double, local fans can claim a free McDonald’s McDouble today with any purchase made through the McDonald’s mobile app.