Local property owners across Gordon County are seeing lower headline tax rates this fall as city and county leaders finalize their annual budgets. Gordon County M&O is lowering its rate to 7.70 mills, down from 9.042 mills last year, while the Gordon County Board of Education (GCBE) adopted a full rollback to 14.527 mills, down from 16.364 mills. Inside the municipality, the City of Calhoun reduced its rate to 2.25 mills—a 1.25-mill cut from last year’s 3.50 mills—and Calhoun City Schools dropped to 10.888 mills, down from 13.735 mills with a full rollback. Residential homeowners will see substantial tax relief, as state assessment caps tied to an artificially lowered 2.7% CPI rate combine with homestead exemptions and FLOST relief. For example, the owner of an assessed $300,000 fair market value home will save $652.68 overall ($491.64 from the city and $161.04 from the county). Conversely, commercial property owners face higher tax bills after bearing the brunt of the county’s recent major property revaluation. Taxes took center stage at Tuesday’s Gordon County Board of Commissioners meeting, where three citizens addressed the board during public hearings on the tentative 7.70 mill rate. Commissioners also approved 2024 SPLOST funding for a tractor and forklift for the Community Events Center and finalized several rezoning requests across Fairmount, Ranger, and Calhoun.
At Monday night’s Calhoun City Council meeting, leaders appointed Steve Kish as the new Chief of Police, bringing more than 30 years of metro-Atlanta law enforcement leadership across Marietta, Acworth, and Dallas, along with FBI National Academy credentials, military service, and a history of securing major federal violent crime reduction grants. In public works, Wilson Construction secured the contract for a new roundabout at Curtis Parkway and Dews Pond Road. The council also approved the annexation and rezoning of 71 acres on Liberty Road for a planned 174-home development by Smith Douglas Homes, moving ahead despite persistent neighborhood pushback over traffic, stormwater runoff, and builder warranty disputes. Looking to emerging industry, the city is partnering with Georgia Tech’s Digital First Certification program to establish regulatory and zoning standards before the current data center moratorium expires in January.
In public safety and community news, Gordon County 911 celebrated back-to-back statewide honors as Kaitlyn Giorgione (jor-JON-A) was named the August Georgia APCO Communications Officer of the Month, recognized for her leadership, mentorship, and uplifting spirit during high-stress dispatch shifts. Law enforcement booked several individuals into the county jail, including Stephanie Yancey Bennett, 48, of Ranger, on charges of aggravated assault (FVA) and battery-family violence; Britan Russell Collins, 30, of Resaca, on charges including fleeing police, reckless driving, reckless stunt driving, speeding, and driving on a suspended license; and Jettris Frances Prime, 39, of Calhoun, for disorderly conduct, public indecency, and obstruction. Meanwhile, Calhoun Animal Control is operating over capacity and offering free dog adoptions through Friday, September 18, to clear urgent kennel space.
In regional commerce, flooring giant Shaw Industries announced an immediate executive shakeup, naming Vance Bell as Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Tim Baucom, with Bell continuing his role as Chairman. The leadership transition comes during a period of mounting financial pressure, as the Federal Reserve concludes its two-day policy meeting today with markets bracing for an additional 25-basis-point interest rate hike amid stubborn core inflation. Household budgets remain under severe strain, with up to 25% of Georgians charging everyday groceries to credit cards alongside climbing healthcare and insurance costs. Transportation expenses continue to mount, as annual vehicle ownership in Georgia exceeds $7,600 and local regular unleaded sits well above the $4.00 mark across Gordon County, with surging diesel prices continuing to penalize farmers and inflate retail freight deliveries. On the diamond, the Atlanta Braves rebounded Tuesday night with a 6–3 victory over the Chicago Cubs, answering Monday’s 7–3 loss with home runs from Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Drake Baldwin.
