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Commission votes to place local option sales tax referendum on November ballot
Summary
By 6–4 roll call, the Athens-Clarke County Commission voted June 9 to place a floating local option sales tax referendum on the November ballot; commissioners debated equity and called for voter education before the election.
The Athens-Clarke County Commission voted 6–4 on June 9 to place a referendum asking voters whether to adopt a floating local option sales tax (FLOST) on the November ballot.
Commissioner Davenport moved the resolution and Commissioner Wright seconded. During debate, supporters said the measure simply asks voters to decide and could provide property-tax relief or new revenues for community priorities. "This is a people decision, so... we'll be voting in November," Commissioner Davenport said.
Opponents urged more public education and analysis. Commissioner Fischer called the sales tax "regressive" and asked the commission to host a work session and quantify impacts on homeowners and renters. "I really wish... we could really just do a little bit of work session on this and really start that conversation," Fischer said. Commissioner Johnson likewise said she would vote against it, citing transparency and insufficient communication with constituents.
Clerk Howard conducted a roll-call vote: Davenport yes; Link yes; Taylor yes; Wright yes; Fisher no; Johnson no; Co Pepper yes; Meyers no; Thornton no; Hammy yes. Chair announced "Six yes, four no," and the measure passed, placing the referendum on the November ballot for voters to decide.
Several commissioners emphasized outreach and education in the months before the election; staff said initial quantification could be prepared for an August work session and further discussion at the September retreat.
