Government & Politics

Local government meetings, elections, policy and civic updates

Two Tax Hearings, Same Hour, Same Street: Gilmer's Last Public Comment Is Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The county wants 6.079 mills, a 7.80 percent increase over rollback. The school board wants 9.121, up 3.79 percent. Both take final comment Wednesday night on Industrial Boulevard, and the county's decision meeting follows Aug. 31.

Aug 164 min read

Government & Politics

City Adds $134,000 for Ellijay Street Paving as County Pushes Toward a 7.8% Tax Increase

The Ellijay City Council approved another $134,000 for street resurfacing Monday, while Gilmer County commissioners open the first of three remaining public comment meetings on a millage rate that would raise property taxes 7.80 percent.

Aug 133 min read

Government & Politics

Gilmer Moves Trash Costs to Your Tax Bill, Ends Exact Change at the Convenience Centers

Commissioners voted unanimously July 29 to raise the county M&O millage rate to 6.079, folding just under $600,000 in garbage fees onto the tax digest. Three public hearings are set for the Community Center in August.

Aug 84 min read

Government & Politics

Gilmer Commissioners Set Aug. 13 Hearings on River Outfitting Rules and County Tax Rate

Two back-to-back public comment sessions at the Community Center will cover a proposed "Public Access River Outfitting" ordinance and the county's proposed millage rates, with the board's regular meeting following at 6 p.m.

Aug 44 min read

Government & Politics

Gilmer School Board's Tentative Millage Means a 3.79% Property Tax Increase, and Hearings Come First

The Gilmer County Board of Education posted a Notice of Property Tax Increase on July 31, setting up required public hearings on a school millage rate that state law counts as a 3.79 percent tax hike. Classes for the 2026-2027 year start Monday, Aug. 3.

Aug 23 min read

Government & Politics

Ellijay Tightens Data Center Rules as County Puts $1.93 Million Into Clear Creek Road

The Ellijay City Council voted unanimously July 20 to extend the city's crypto-mining rules to cover general data centers, with setbacks, noise limits and water restrictions. Days earlier, county commissioners extended a moratorium and hired a paver for 6.85 miles of Clear Creek Road.

Aug 14 min read

Government & Politics

City Council Approves Another $134,000 for Ellijay Street Repaving

Ellijay City Council voted Monday to add $134,000 to its road-resurfacing program, extending repairs to worn pavement across the city limits as downtown traffic grows.

Jul 113 min read

Government & Politics

Gilmer's Property-Tax-for-Sales-Tax Swap Passes the House — Now It's Up to You in November

House Bill 21 would erase county property tax on Gilmer homeowners' primary residences and replace the money with a new penny sales tax. Passed by the state House 95-67, it now heads to a November referendum where local voters decide.

Jul 74 min read

Government & Politics

Gilmer's Bold Tax Swap: Wipe Out County Property Tax on Your Home, Add a Penny at the Register

A local bill advancing at the Capitol would erase the county property tax on owner-occupied Ellijay-area homes and replace that money with a new 1% local sales tax — but only if Gilmer voters approve it at the ballot box.

Jul 54 min read

Government & Politics

Ellijay Pauses New Short-Term Rentals for 90 Days as County Warns of a "Wild West" of Unlicensed Cabins

The Ellijay City Council voted unanimously to halt new short-term rental approvals for three months while it overhauls its ordinance — as county officials estimate hundreds to thousands of vacation rentals may be operating without a license.

Jun 284 min read

Government & Politics

Ellijay Council Takes a First Step Toward Data-Center Rules — But No Project Is on the Table

The Ellijay City Council held a first reading of a proposed ordinance regulating data centers on June 15. It was an early procedural step — not final approval, and not a sign that a data center is coming to town.

Jun 214 min read

Government & Politics

The Hotel That Became a Courthouse: Ellijay's Lost Landmark on the Square

For most of the 20th century, Gilmer County's justice was handed down inside a building that started life as a hotel. How the old courthouse rose — and came down.

Jun 163 min read