Commissioners debate moving to countywide elections; counsel and referendum mechanics to be researched

The Hart County chairman opened a countywide-election discussion, saying he wants commissioners to be elected by all county voters rather than only by district voters. The change, he said, would strengthen accountability to countywide taxpayers.

Commissioners responded with practical and legal questions. Several members said such a change would almost certainly require a referendum and could need amendment of enabling legislation; one commissioner pointed to Elbert County’s experience and said the change could be phased in so it would not cut short current terms. A staff speaker referenced a brief conversation with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and an ACCG toolkit that may guide the process.

Board members also debated whether the school board should be included, how residency rules should operate (residence in a district with election countywide), and the expected cost of countywide campaigns. One commissioner estimated countywide races could cost $16,000–$18,000 to run, and urged consideration of possible compensation adjustments if the county shifts to countywide contests.

No formal vote or ordinance was taken. The board instructed staff to research legal and procedural steps (ACCG materials and state representative guidance were referenced) and to return with options and timing for a possible referendum or enabling-legislation change.

Next steps: staff and legal counsel to verify statutory requirements, examine transition approaches (phased implementation), and report back to the board for a future agenda.