By Linda Erbele
Just over a dozen citizens came to the public information open house held Tuesday evening at the White County Commissioner’s meeting room.
Those who did had a chance to talk with Chief Appraiser Bryan Payne and Deputy Chief Appraiser Jennifer Saxon, who had brought the computer along so individual property records could be discussed in depth. County Manager Derick Canupp, Assistant County Manager and County Clerk Shanda Murphy, both Helen and Cleveland city managers, Darrell Westmoreland and Kevin Harris, were on hand to explain or answer citizens’ questions. County Commission Chair Travis Turner and Commissioner Lyn Holcomb both made appearances.
“FLOST is a first-time deal and I wanted to learn about it,” said Pete Stavros, who came with his wife Jamie. They have lived in White County since 2015. Ron and Pat Hood, who live in Tesnatee Gap came for the same reason. Ron was a former mayor of Dasher, a small-town in Lowndes County, so he understands much about how communities are funded. But FLOST is a new option for cities and counties in Georgia.
“I wanted to know how (FLOST) is going to play out,” he said. “I didn’t fully understand that it is only for the offset of the millage rate.”
Which was the message Derick Canupp gave in answer to the questions put to him. While it will be another penny on sales tax, that money can only be used to reduce taxes paid by homeowners.
“And 60 percent of it is paid for by tourists,” Canupp said.
Community and Economic Development Director John Sell and Cleveland’s Director of Economic Development and Planning Tom O’Bryant were both on hand. “Tourism plays into economic development,” Sell said. “The fact that the millage rate could potentially be one of the lowest in the state positively impacts our ability to attract business and industry. That diversifies the tax base so it’s not just on homeowners.”
White County was one of only 36 counties in the state that had a base-year homestead exemption in place prior to the passage of HB581 in 2024. That law is what authorized counties to hold a referendum on the FLOST, or Floating Local Option Sales Tax. Homeowners receive the most beneficial exemption. For more details, see whitecountyflost.com.