Whitfield County approves participation in Varnell Tax Allocation District for Patterson Farms in 3-2 vote

Whitfield County commissioners voted on Aug. 14, 2023 to enter an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Varnell to participate in a Tax Allocation District (TAD) for the Patterson Farms property, approving the motion 3-2.

Commissioner Barry W. Robbins moved the measure, which Commissioner Robby Staten seconded. Robbins’ motion, entered into the meeting minutes, described the project as creating “the type of neighborhood not currently available in Whitfield County” with mixed housing types, retail and recreational opportunities and new sales tax generation. Robbins told the board the agreement limits how much and how long funds can be applied and, he said, leaves Whitfield County without liability for developer obligations. The text of that motion was provided for the record in the minutes (motion text included in meeting record).

Chairman Jevin Jensen and Commissioners Robby Staten and Barry W. Robbins voted in favor; Commissioners Greg Jones and John Thomas voted against the IGA. The minutes state the vote followed extended discussion and a public comment period with speakers on both sides.

Public comment at the meeting included supporters — Mayor Tom Dickson, Carter Hayes, Dean Stamper, Dan Peeples and State Representative Kasey Carpenter — who told the board they supported the county’s participation in the TAD. A larger group of citizens identified in the minutes — Vicky Alt, Matt Coker, Lauren Phillips, Larry Swanson, Daniel Alt, Carol Matthews, John Alt, Susan Baggett and William Richards — spoke in opposition. Comments recorded in the minutes expressed typical pro/con concerns about economic development, tax generation and local control; the minutes do not attribute specific quoted language from those commenters beyond the names recorded.

Chairman Jensen had earlier noted to the board that Varnell’s council had previously authorized the ability to create TADs and that, he said, "Whitfield County voters have repeatedly voted down the ability to create TADs," a historical claim recorded in the meeting notes. Robbins and other supporters argued the Patterson Farms project would increase the tax digest through real property improvements and provide new sales tax revenue, while limiting the county’s financial exposure through the terms of the IGA.

The motion as recorded states the property at issue is identified as Patterson Farms and that eligible expenditures include recreational amenities open to county residents. The minutes note the IGA’s limits on eligible uses and timeline but do not include the full IGA text; the county clerk’s office retains the agreement and the meeting minutes for public review.

No formal legal challenge, bond authorization, or additional votes were recorded at the meeting related to the TAD; the immediate effect recorded in the minutes is the board’s approval to enter the IGA. The minutes indicate that future implementation steps would follow the terms of the IGA and any applicable regulatory requirements.

Next steps: the approved IGA is in the county record; the minutes state the agreement will be available on the county’s records for public review and any implementation will proceed under the IGA’s terms.