Whitfield County’s Board of Commissioners voted 4–0 on Nov. 7, 2025, to set the county’s maintenance and operations millage at 4.6 mills. Commissioner Jones moved to set the rate at 4.6 mills; Commissioner Robbins seconded. The board recorded the motion as passing unanimously by voice/hand vote.

County staff opened the meeting with a summary of the M&O millage history, saying the county’s rate had peaked around 2016 and had been lowered repeatedly in subsequent years. Staff highlighted that personnel and employee health-care costs make up the largest portion of the county budget (68% shown on slides), and said county health-care costs have increased substantially since 2016. Officials presented several rate options, including a previously advertised “worst-case” scenario that would have added about $72 per year for a $250,000 homestead, a 5.0-mill estimate tied to earlier digest estimates, a 4.6-mill option presented as roughly near inflation (about $20/year on a $250,000 home), and a 4.35 rollback-style option.

During public comment dozens of residents urged the board not to raise taxes and criticized property assessments and assessor procedures. Speakers asked for greater budget transparency, itemized vendor and transaction lists, and easier access to assessor hearings and appeals. Board members repeatedly told speakers that the board does not control assessor day-to-day operations because of the state/constitutional structure that governs those appointments, and that residents may appeal individual assessments to the board of assessors.

After hearing public concerns and discussing alternatives — including the possibility of placing a sales-tax-based credit on a future ballot — the board chose 4.6 mills. County officials said they will pursue a leaner (“austerity-style”) 2026 budget process with additional public budget hearings in November and December.

The final tally announced by the chair was four in favor, none opposed. The board adjourned after recording the vote.