Trenton, GA – It appears Dade County will capture approximately $170,000 less than previously anticipated in property taxes as commissioners balked at the proposed 7.75 millage rate for unincorporated areas of Dade County in a specially called meeting Wednesday afternoon of the Dade County Board of Commissioners.
Preceding the vote was the third legally required public hearing, to a considerably smaller audience than previous meetings.
Commission Chairman Don Townsend seemed visibly perturbed when he was unable to garner a second motion on the proposed and advertised millage rate.
As previously promised, District 2 Commissioner Philip Hartline followed with a motion to lower the 2025 millage rate to 7.25. District 3 Commissioner Bob Woods seconded the motion which failed on 2-3 vote, with Melissa Bradford, Dr. Bill Pullen and Chairman Townsend dissenting. Townsend said he felt it would be fiscally irresponsible to vote for a millage rate that would not adequately fund the county’s budget.
Splitting the difference, District 1 Commissioner Pullen proposed a 7.5 millage rate which ultimately succeeded on a 4-1 vote, with District 4 Commissioner Melissa Bradford the lone no.