Dade County Voters to Decide Whether to Shift More of the Tax Burden from Property Owners to Consumers

TRENTON, Ga. — Dade County voters will have the opportunity this November to decide whether a larger share of funding for county government should come from sales taxes paid by consumers instead of property taxes paid by homeowners and landowners.

During its July meeting, the Dade County Board of Commissioners voted to place a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) referendum on the November General Election ballot. If approved by voters, the measure would provide a new option for helping offset county property taxes by shifting a portion of the tax burden to sales tax revenue.

County officials say the proposal is designed to provide property tax relief while broadening the tax base to include visitors, commuters, and others who shop in Dade County but do not own property.

Unlike property taxes, which are paid only by property owners, a local sales tax is paid by anyone making taxable purchases within the county. Supporters say that means tourists, travelers, and residents from neighboring communities would also contribute to funding county services when they spend money in Dade County.

Commissioners noted that property tax revenues have remained relatively flat in recent years while the cost of providing county services has continued to increase because of inflation, higher employee health insurance costs, and rising operating expenses.

If approved, FLOST could allow the county to reduce the amount of revenue that must be generated through property taxes, providing relief for homeowners, farmers, and businesses that pay property taxes.

At the same meeting, commissioners also voted to place a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) referendum on the November ballot. If approved, TSPLOST would fund transportation improvements such as road paving, bridge improvements, and other eligible transportation projects.

Commissioners emphasized that voters will have the final say on both measures and said educating the public about how the proposed taxes would work will be a priority over the coming months.

The referendums will appear on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot, giving Dade County residents the opportunity to determine whether a greater portion of county funding should come from consumer spending rather than property ownership.