Habersham commissioners to vote on UDO, property tax relief referendum July 20

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Habersham County commissioners are expected to make decisions Monday on two of the most significant initiatives affecting county residents this year: a proposed Unified Development Ordinance that would reshape land-use regulations and a referendum that could reduce property taxes through a one-cent sales tax.

Both items are scheduled for consideration during the Habersham County Board of Commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, July 20, in the Jury Assembly Room of the Habersham County Courthouse.

UDO reaches final vote

Commissioners are scheduled to consider adopting the proposed Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO, along with the county’s proposed zoning map.

The vote comes after months of public meetings and revisions to the document, which is designed to modernize and consolidate the county’s land development regulations into a single ordinance. County officials have said the UDO will provide clearer development standards while helping guide future residential, commercial and industrial growth.

The proposal has been the focus of public discussion throughout the spring and summer, including a town hall meeting and public open house that gave residents an opportunity to review the draft ordinance and ask questions before commissioners considered final adoption.

If approved, the ordinance would establish the framework for how future development is regulated in unincorporated Habersham County.

FLOST referendum moves forward

Commissioners also are expected to consider an intergovernmental agreement with Habersham County’s seven municipalities to implement the Floating Homestead Local Option Sales Tax, commonly known as FLOST or the Property Tax Relief Local Option Sales Tax (PTRLOST). They are also scheduled to consider a resolution calling for a countywide referendum on the proposal.

During the past two weeks, Alto, Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Demorest, Mt. Airy and Tallulah Falls all approved the intergovernmental agreement required before the county could move forward with the referendum.

If commissioners approve the agreement and election resolution Monday, voters will decide the issue during the Nov. 3 general election.

Unlike an additional sales tax, FLOST would replace the county’s existing one-cent Local Option Sales Tax with a one-cent sales tax dedicated to reducing property taxes. If approved by voters, the tax would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and remain in place through Dec. 31, 2031.

Other business

Commissioners also are expected to consider amendments to the Habersham County Airport’s minimum standards for commercial aeronautical services, approve a professional services agreement with Leftover Pets Inc. to provide veterinary services for the Habersham County Animal Shelter, and fill a vacancy on the Recreation Advisory Board.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Monday, July 20, in the Jury Assembly Room of the Habersham County Courthouse, 295 Llewellyn St., Clarkesville.