Gordon County property owners could see a significant reduction in their tax bills this year as county commissioners move forward with a proposed rollback of the 2026 Maintenance and Operations property tax rate.
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners has formally recommended setting the county’s millage rate at 7.7 mills, which would be the lowest rate in the county since 2002.
The proposed rate continues a downward trend from the 9.042-mill rate that has been in place during the past two years.
County officials said the reduction is largely being made possible by revenue generated through the voter-approved 1% Flexible Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST). During its first five months of operation, FLOST generated approximately $4.09 million, allowing the county to use sales tax revenue to offset property taxes.
Without the additional rollback approved by commissioners, the FLOST revenue would have brought the effective property tax rate to approximately 7.84 mills. Commissioners elected to reduce the rate even further to 7.7 mills.
The lower county rate, combined with state property tax relief measures and an anticipated rollback by the county school system, is expected to provide substantial savings for many homeowners.
For a homestead valued at approximately $250,000, county officials estimate the combined reduction could result in a tax bill that is about $618 lower than last year.
Despite the reduction, commissioners said the proposed rate is structured to maintain the county’s ability to provide essential services and prepare for future needs.
One of those priorities is staffing for the planned Sugar Valley Fire Station. County officials said funding will allow the county to prepare for additional personnel at the station, which is expected to help improve fire protection and potentially lower fire insurance ratings in outlying areas.
County Administrator Jim Ledbetter outlined the remaining steps in the millage-rate process.
The county will hold two public hearings on the proposed rate on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at noon and 6 p.m. A third public hearing and the final vote are scheduled to take place during the first Gordon County Commission meeting in October.
Following final approval, tax bills are expected to be mailed later in October.
The proposed rollback represents another step in the county’s effort to shift more of the tax burden toward sales-tax revenue while reducing the amount property owners pay through the county’s Maintenance and Operations millage rate.
