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Cusseta‑Chattahoochee commission backs proposed millage hike and sends 1% FLOST question to voters
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended a proposed millage of 9.504 (up 1.25 mills from 8.254) and approved sending a FLOST (1% sales tax) resolution to the county election superintendent for placement on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot; public hearings on the millage were scheduled.
The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County voted unanimously Sept. 2 to recommend a proposed millage rate of 9.504, an increase of 1.25 mills from the prior rate of 8.254, and to forward a Flexible Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) resolution to the county elections superintendent for the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.
County Manager Thomas Weaver briefed the board on the recommendation and explained the estimated homeowner impacts cited by commissioners: a homestead property with a $100,000 fair market value would see about a $50 annual increase; a $50,000 non‑homestead example would increase roughly $25 annually. Commissioner Jason Frost moved to recommend the 9.504 proposed millage; Commissioner Damon Hoyte seconded and the vote was unanimous.
The FLOST question, drafted under Article 2b of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, was read aloud by Chairman Charles Coffey during a second reading. The resolution authorizes up to a one percent county sales and use tax for a five‑year period to provide property tax relief, sets the ballot language, and requests that the elections superintendent call the Nov. 4, 2025 election. Commissioner Damon Hoyte moved to approve the FLOST resolution and send it to the Board of Elections for placement on the ballot; Commissioner Jason Frost seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The proposed millage and the FLOST are separate but related revenue tools. The proposed millage would be the county’s property tax rate recommendation for the coming year; the FLOST, if approved by voters, would impose a temporary county sales tax intended by the resolution to offset the county portion of property taxes. Both items will be subject to public hearings and (in the case of the FLOST) a voter decision.
Details and next steps: The minutes record that public hearings on the proposed millage were initially set for Sept. 17 (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and Sept. 24 (6 p.m.), with a called meeting on Sept. 24 for a final vote immediately after the hearing; subsequent work‑session discussion noted the hearings were later rescheduled because the advertisement did not meet Department of Revenue timing rules (see work session notes for new dates). The FLOST resolution includes model ballot language and directs the election superintendent to publish the required notices and canvass returns if the board proceeds.
What the record shows: All motions on the millage recommendation and the FLOST resolution were adopted unanimously at the Sept. 2 meeting. The record includes the full text of the FLOST resolution and the notice to be published. The commission did not take a final voted millage at that meeting; it moved only to set dates and recommend the proposed rate for public hearings.
Public input and hearings: The minutes record no public speakers at the Sept. 2 meeting. The commission announced upcoming hearings and encouraged citizen participation; updated hearing dates and advertisement compliance were discussed at a Sept. 22 work session.
What to watch: Whether the county proceeds with the recommended 9.504 millage at the final vote, the results of the FLOST question if placed on the Nov. 4 ballot, and any changes the commission makes after the scheduled public hearings.
