Commission sends 1% FLOST measure to ballot, citing property‑tax relief

The Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Commission voted unanimously Sept. 2 to adopt a resolution asking the county elections superintendent to place a one percent Flexible Local Option Sales Tax on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.

Chairman Charles Coffey read the resolution’s language and explained to the public that, if voters approve the measure, the county could levy a 1% sales and use tax for a period the resolution describes as five years (the ballot language used in the resolution document refers to the term as "20 calendar quarters"). The resolution directs the elections superintendent to call the election and sets out the ballot question wording.

County Clerk Lisa Bickel confirmed the resolution will be published as required and sent to the elections office. The resolution text submitted to the record cites Article 2b of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, and the commission’s stated purpose is to use proceeds to reduce the county portion of property taxes.

The Commission did not set specific project allocations in the meeting; the resolution describes purposes, an allocation framework, and the request for the elections superintendent to manage the election and certify results to the Secretary of State and State Revenue Commissioners.

Chairman Coffey said the county will notify voters of the public information materials and that required notices will be published in the legal paper. The county clerk handled the formal notice language entered into the minutes. The commission’s vote was unanimous.

What happens next: the elections office will publish the notice and administer the Nov. 4 question; if voters approve the FLOST the county can begin collecting the 1% tax and apply proceeds as the resolution specifies toward reducing the county’s property tax burden for the term approved by voters.