The Walker County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 2 voted to adopt a reduced millage rate, authorized a countywide SPLOST referendum for the Nov. 4 ballot and approved a series of budget and procurement actions, the board said at its regularly scheduled meeting in Lafayette.

The board set the millage at 5.15 mills for unincorporated areas and 6.645 mills for incorporated areas, a rollback the chairwoman described as a decision that will collect less property tax revenue than last year. Chairwoman Angela Teams said the board is taking “the full rollback.”

The board also voted to place a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot; the resolution authorizes a referendum conditioned on majority voter approval. Commissioners said project lists from the county and the five cities in Walker County were reviewed prior to the vote.

Other approved items included a budget amendment for the sheriff’s department moving $350,000 from personnel to capital to allow purchases before the fiscal year ends, and a contract award of $77,981 to DW Construction for the emergency 911 administrative office remodel. The board approved a resolution to amend the county’s enabling legislation regarding auditor length of service as a required second reading in the two-meeting process described by the chair.

Board members approved the consent agenda items (14.2–14.8) bundled together, and approved a zoning variance for a tiny-home proposal at 733 Huffman Road (Donald Crouch). Several other planning actions were voted separately at the meeting (see separate planning coverage).

Votes at a glance
- Resolution R-057-25 (amend enabling legislation for auditor length of service): approved (motion to approve; seconder; vote recorded as passed).
- Resolution R-060-25 (adopt millage rate: 5.15 mills unincorporated / 6.645 mills incorporated): approved (motion to approve; passed by voice vote).
- Resolution R-061-25 (authorize SPLOST referendum for Nov. 4, 2025): approved (motion to approve; passed).
- Resolution R-062-25 (amend FY2025 budget—move $350,000 from personnel to capital for Sheriff’s Department): approved (motion to approve; passed).
- Resolution R-063-25 (award contract for emergency 911 administrative office remodel to DW Construction, bid $77,981): approved (motion to approve; passed).
- Consent agenda (items 14.2–14.8): approved (single motion).
- Donald Crouch variance (733 Huffman Road; tiny home <500 sq. ft.): approved (planning commission recommended; board approved).

Board procedure and next steps
Chairwoman Angela Teams noted state and local procedural requirements when the board amends enabling legislation and when placing the SPLOST referendum before voters; the SPLOST project lists were compiled with the five cities in the county and will accompany the ballot question if approved for election placement.

The board adjourned after a brief recess. Several planning and zoning items that generated public comment were decided in separate votes and are covered in the planning report.