Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corinth Shiloh Tax District topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council advances Ordinance 2026‑23, orders feasibility study on dissolving Corinth‑Shiloh fire tax district
Summary
Oconee County Council approved Ordinance 2026‑23 on second reading and, by separate 4–1 votes (one abstention), directed staff to study dissolving the Corinth‑Shiloh Special Purpose Tax District for Fire Protection and to draft a third‑reading amendment requiring a referendum for millage increases above 25 mills.
Council moved Ordinance 2026‑23 forward on second reading amid substantial public comment opposing the measure and frustration expressed about the Corinth‑Shiloh Special Purpose Tax District Commission. The second‑reading approval passed 4–1 with Council Member John Elliott recorded as abstaining. Council also approved, by the same 4–1 margin, two follow‑up directives: one directing County Administrator Stewart Jones (in consultation with County Attorney Rob Chumley, the Fire Chief and the Emergency Services Director) to examine the feasibility and legality of dissolving the Corinth‑Shiloh district and returning fire protection to the county with a report and cost analysis within 90 days; and a second directing the County Attorney to review a possible amendment for third reading that would require any millage increase above 25 mills to go to a public referendum.
The public comment period included multiple residents who said they opposed the ordinance or the current commission; Richard Pugh stated he was "not in favor of a millage increase." Council debate emphasized public safety and transparency concerns, and several members said the commission should work with volunteers and stakeholders moving forward. The motions and directives on the ordinance were recorded in the minutes with the same tally (4–1, Elliott abstaining).
