Chattooga County Elections and Registration announced this week that a special election has been called for November 4, 2025, presenting residents with two crucial ballot questions concerning new sales and use taxes. The election will coincide with the Statewide Special Election for Public Service Commission Districts 2 and 3, aiming to maximize voter participation.

Voters will be asked to approve or reject two distinct, one percent (1%) sales and use tax proposals, one dedicated to road improvements and the other exclusively for property tax reduction.

Proposal 1: Road Improvement Sales Tax (1% for up to 6 years)

The first question on the ballot will ask: “Shall a special 1 percent sales and use tax be imposed in the special district consisting of Chattooga County for a period of time not to exceed six (6) years and for the raising of an estimated amount of $20,500,000 in revenue for the purposes of County and City road improvement projects consisting of road paving, patching, resurfacing, widening, and improvements to intersections, crosswalks, and road drainage throughout Chattooga County?”

If approved, this sales tax would generate an estimated $20.5 million over a maximum of six years. These funds would be specifically earmarked for comprehensive road work, including paving, patching, resurfacing, widening, and enhancing intersections, crosswalks, and drainage systems across all of Chattooga County’s road networks. This initiative aims to address the long-standing infrastructure needs of both the county and its municipalities.

Proposal 2: Property Tax Reduction Sales Tax (1% for 5 years)

The second, separate question voters will face is: “Shall a special one percent (1%) sales and use tax be imposed for 5 years within the special district of Chattooga County with the proceeds used exclusively to reduce property taxes imposed by Chattooga County and the Municipalities of Lyerly, Menlo, and Trion?”

This proposal also seeks to implement a one percent (1%) sales and use tax, but for a period of five years. Crucially, all proceeds from this particular tax would be used exclusively to directly reduce the property taxes levied by Chattooga County and the individual municipalities of Lyerly, Menlo, and Trion. This measure is intended to provide direct financial relief to property owners within the county by offsetting a portion of their local property tax burden.

Chattooga County residents are encouraged to carefully review both proposals as they will have significant and distinct impacts on local services, infrastructure, and personal finances. Further details regarding voter registration, absentee balloting, and early voting dates will be released by the Chattooga County Elections and Registration office closer to the November 4, 2025 election date.

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