On July 9, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to General George Washington’s troops at the parade grounds in Manhattan.
President Zachary Taylor died of cholera on July 9, 1850. Millard Fillmore was sworn in as the 13th President of the United States on July 10, 1850.
On July 9, 1864, Confederate troops retreated across the Chattahoochee River from Cobb County into Fulton County. Upriver, Sherman’s troops had already crossed and moved toward Atlanta.
On July 10, 1864, Conferderate forces retreated south across the Chattahoochee and burned the bridge behind them. General Sherman wrote later of the day,
General Garrard Moved rapidly on Roswell, and destroyed the factories which had supplied the rebel armies with cloth for years.
Over General Garrard was then ordered to secure the shallow ford at Roswell and hold it until he could be relieved by infantry, and as I contemplated transferring the Army of the Tennessee from the extreme right to the left, I ordered General Thomas to send a division of his infantry that was nearest up to Roswell to hold the ford until General McPherson could send up a corps from the neighborhood of Nickajack.
General Newton’s division was sent and held the ford until the arrival of General Dodge’s corps, which was soon followed by General McPherson’s whole army.
The Scopes “Monkey Trial” began on July 10, 1925, in which a Tennessee public school teacher was tried for teaching evolution, against state law. Three-time Democratic candidate for President William Jennings Bryan volunteered to help the prosecution, and famed lawyer Clarence Darrow defended John Thomas Scopes.
On July 10, 1985, “Classic“ Coke returned, joining the new formula on store shelves.
The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games broke ground for Atlanta Olympic Stadium on July 10, 1993; after the Olympics, the stadium was modified for baseball and became Turner Field.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
Early voting for the July 15, 2025 Special Democratic Primary Runoff Election for Public Service Commission District 3 has produced 9812 early ballots cast.
Early voting for the Democratic Party runoff for Georgia Public Service Commissioner has attracted 80 voters, which is not surprising to Glynn County Board of Elections and Registration officials.
During Tuesday’s monthly meeting, election officials said only one polling place will be open for the runoff on July 15, the Bethel Baptist Church, 900 Barrow St. in Brunswick.
Peter Hubbard and Keisha Waites, both of Atlanta, face each other in the runoff. The winner will challenge Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson in the November election.
Early voting for the election continues through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the board’s offices at 1709 Gloucester St., Brunswick.
The reason only one polling place will be open the day of the runoff is because turnout for the primary was less than 1% of the registered votes in Glynn County.
There are 71,521 registered voters in Glynn County.
The runoff will be certified at the board of elections office on July 18.
Forsyth County will open a single voting location for the Special Primary Runoff, according to AccessWDUN.
The Forsyth County Government issued a statement Monday, saying the polling place for that July 15 runoff in the county will be the Cumming Recreation & Parks Department Event Center on Pilgrim Mill Road. Voting will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on election day.
The county said the reason only one polling place will be open for the county is that, under Georgia law, counties that had less than 1 percent of registered voters participate in an election are only required to open one polling place for a runoff in that same election.
Burke County Commissioners are consideirng who will represent the county in a lawsuit filed against Burke County Sheriff Alonzo Williams, according to WJBF.
Last month, the board decided not to settle the sexual harassment case from Brenda Johnson and will take it to court. At their meeting Tuesday night, they authorized Russel Britt, an attorney with Hall Booth, to handle the case on behalf of the county and Sheriff Williams. The county manager tells me that although there are other issues between the commissioners and the sheriff, they have to set those aside.
“It’s a difficult decision for the board,” said Merv Waldrop, Burke County Manager. “The taxpayers want them to be responsible, but they also know that if nobody’s held accountable for their actions, they got to keep on being irresponsible with the taxpayer’s money and with their employees and with the position that they’ve got.”
The commission went into executive session during their meeting. Leaders and the top law enforcer have been at odds over the budget. One community member has been vocal about his feelings regarding what he has seen and heard within the sheriff’s office.
“It’s a culture in the county now within that department driven by the leadership of bullying and intimidation when they don’t get their way, and he doesn’t get his way,” said Nathan Ford, Community Member. “And that’s just not the American way. That’s just not constitutional. That’s why I felt like I needed to say something the first time, and since then, it just keeps happening and just keeps snowballing the more and more issues with this sheriff.”
Waynesboro City Councilwoman Albert Anderson says she thinks the sheriff’s office has done a good job protecting the community.
Commissioners also heard from a local resident who seeks to recall Sheriff Williams, according to WRDW.
“Our community deserves better. This recall is necessary to ensure no other person or family fears any type of retaliation from the sheriff.”
An official recall application was issued by the Burke County Board of Elections, and now organizers have 15 days to get 100 sponsors.
Governor Brian Kemp’s Office released June state revenue numbers, according to a Press Release.
The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in June totaled roughly $3.15 billion for an increase of $124.3 million, or 4.1 percent, compared to FY 2024 when net tax collections approached $3.03 billion for the month.
Year-to-date, net tax revenue totaled almost $33.62 billion for an increase of $668.3 million that was driven significantly by the State’s collection of motor fuel excise tax, which was suspended by Executive Order for a period of two and a half months during the fall quarter of FY 2024. Adjusting for the year-over-year motor fuel tax changes, year-to-date net tax revenue collections for the fiscal year-ended June 30 were up $197.4 million, or 0.6 percent.
The changes within the following tax categories help to further explain June’s overall net tax revenue increase:
Individual Income Tax: Individual Income Tax collections totaled roughly $1.49 billion, for an increase of $166.1 million, or 12.5 percent, compared to last year when Individual Tax collections approached $1.33 billion.
The following notable components within Individual Income Tax combine for the net increase:
Individual Income Tax refunds issued (net of voided checks) decreased $4.3 million or -4.3 percent
Individual Withholding payments increased by $75.4 million, or 6.7 percent, over last fiscal year
Individual Income Tax Return payments were up $81.6 million, or 118 percent, from June 2024
All other Individual Tax categories, including Estimated payments, were up a combined $4.8 million
Sales and Use Tax: Gross Sales and Use Tax collections totaled $1.59 billion in June, for an increase of $38.2 million, or 2.5 percent, compared to FY 2024. Net Sales and Use Tax increased by $21.2 million, or 2.8 percent, compared to last year when net sales tax totaled $756.7 million. The adjusted Sales Tax distribution to local governments totaled $795.3 million, for an increase of roughly $3.7 million, or 0.5 percent, while Sales Tax refunds increased by $13.3 million compared to the previous fiscal year.
Corporate Income Tax: Corporate Income Tax collections for the month totaled $484.7 million, which was a decrease of $52.7 million, or -9.8 percent, compared to last year’s total of $537.4 million.
The following notable components within Corporate Income Tax make up the net decrease:
Corporate Income Tax refunds issued (net of voids) increased $23.8 million, or 157.5 percent
Corporate Income Tax Estimated payments decreased by $14.8 million, or -4.0 percent, from June 2024
All other Corporate Tax types, including S-Corporate payments, were down a combined $14.1 million
Motor Fuel Taxes: Motor Fuel Tax collections decreased by $0.5 million, or -0.3 percent, compared to FY 2024.Motor Vehicle – Tag & Title Fees: Motor Vehicle Tag & Title Fees decreased by $2 million, or -6.2 percent, for the month, while Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) collections increased by $1.6 million, or 2.1 percent, over June 2024.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office will audit voter registrations for people registered at PO Boxes or business addresses, according to the AJC.
Georgia election officials are conducting an audit to find potential inaccuracies in the state’s voter list, an additional step along with this summer’s upcoming cancellation of nearly 500,000 inactive voter registrations.
The Georgia secretary of state’s office announced the review last week that will identify voters registered at business addresses, UPS stores or post office boxes. Those voters will then be required to update their registrations with a residential address — or else their registrations will eventually be canceled.
The examination will also flag single-family residences where more than 10 people are registered to vote, as well as voters 105 years old or older who might have died in recent years.
“Accurate voter lists are important because they lead to well-run elections. They help with resource allocation, and they boost voter confidence,” said Georgia Elections Director Blake Evans.
Voter registrations won’t be canceled immediately when they’re identified in the audit.
Instead, the secretary of state’s office will forward its findings to county election offices, which will review them and notify voters. Those who verify their addresses will remain active voters; those who don’t respond could be canceled if they miss the next two general elections, according to state law.
The latest election audit will rely on data from the Department of Homeland Security’s Geospatial Management Office. It will use software called the Georgia Registration Review Application that was developed by IPC Global, which also runs the secretary of state’s election data hub website.
The results of the audit will be revealed when it’s completed by September.
ICYMI: Lt. Governor Burt Jones is running for Governor. From the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News:
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announced Tuesday he’s running for governor, a long anticipated move that sets up a primary race next year among Republican heavyweights.
Jones, a former state senator from Butts County, posted his first campaign video on YouTube, touting Georgia’s accomplishments in recent years under Republican rule and laying out his stands on key issues moving forward.
“Today, I see a Georgia where families are prospering, a Georgia where businesses are moving here and growing here, a Georgia where our families are safer thanks to tougher crime laws, and our schools strengthened thanks to empowering parents’ rights,” Jones said as he drove along in a pickup truck.
“Working for the families of Georgia, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has brought real conservative leadership that protects our freedom, our values, and our families,” a narrator intones.
If elected governor, Jones vowed to eliminate the state income tax and end fentanyl overdoses in Georgia through tougher penalties and stepped-up efforts to educate Georgia’s young people on the dangers of illegal drugs.
Jones represented Middle Georgia’s 25th Senate District for a decade before being elected lieutenant governor in 2022. An executive in a family-owned oil company, the 2002 graduate of the University of Georgia co-captained the Bulldogs football team that year to its first Southeastern Conference championship in 20 years.
Jones’ campaign video touts his ties to President Donald Trump. Jones was investigated for alleged involvement in attempts to overturn the results of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election but was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.
The lieutenant governor is the second Republican to enter the 2026 race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Brian Kemp. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced his candidacy last November.
Democrats vying for their party’s gubernational nomination include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and former pastor Olujimi Brown.
In a prepared statement, Georgia Democratic Chairman Charlie Bailey accused Jones of “failed leadership” that doesn’t deserve a promotion to governor.
“Georgia has a top-ten ranking for rural hospital closures, a top-five ranking for uninsured rates, a bottom-half ranking for every metric that measures our kids’ educational opportunities, and a tax code that rewards billionaires, big corporations, and the latest lobbyist to buy him a steak and a bourbon,” Bailey wrote.
From the Associated Press via the Valdosta Daily Times:
Georgia Republican Burt Jones made his long-telegraphed entry into the 2026 governor’s race on Tuesday, touting his ties with President Donald Trump and pledging to eliminate Georgia’s state income tax in a campaign video.
“I don’t back down from tough fights — I step up to deliver results — and that’s exactly what I’ll continue doing as governor,” Jones said in a statement.
He joins Attorney General Chris Carr among the top GOP candidates in the race to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who can’t run again because of term limits. Other Republican candidates who could enter the race include Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Republicans are trying to hold onto a governor’s chair that they have won in every election since 2002, even as Georgia has elected two Democratic U.S. senators and has become among the nation’s most competitive states at the presidential level. Democrats seeking to end that dominance include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Sen. Jason Esteves and state Rep. Derrick Jackson.
Jones was among the first Republicans in Georgia to endorse Trump before the 2016 election. He was one of 16 state Republicans who signed certificates stating that Trump had won Georgia and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors even though Democrat Joe Biden had been declared the state’s winner. Jones also pushed for a special session in Georgia aimed at overturning Biden’s narrow win in the state. Prosecutors considered filing criminal charges against Jones, but rejected the move, concluding Jones did not act with criminal intent.
Jones touted that peril as proof that he is an authentic supporter of Trump in a speech at the state Republican convention last month in Dalton.
“I’ve been the Trump guy since 2015, not ’16,” Jones said. “I’ve taken all the battle scars and everything else. I know who ran and hid during 2020 and everything else. The circle is small.”
Carr and Raffensperger both have taken fire from Trump over their refusal to back moves to overturn the 2020 election. However, if Greene enters the race, it could scramble the race for Trump’s core voters in the primary.
As lieutenant governor, Jones has presided over a heavily Republican state Senate that has pursued an aggressive brand of conservative policy that has often been watered down or rejected by the more moderate state House. Democrats say they will make that sharp-edged right-wing agenda an issue in the race.
“Jones’ partisan, disastrous record could not be more out-of-touch with Georgians ” Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Kevin Donohoe said in a statement Tuesday.
But Jones has also pursued a set of initiatives aimed at children and families that could have more appeal to the broader electorate, including a substantial child tax credit that Kemp signed into law this year.
“What do I call all that we’ve accomplished together? Just a start,” Jones said in the video. “Because our work’s not done yet. And that’s why I’m running for governor.”
Jones pledged to “completely eliminate the state income tax,” said he would seek the death penalty for people illegally selling the drug fentanyl, and touted his support for maintaining Georgia’s ban on transgender girls in girls’ sports.
The 46-year-old Jones is heir to a large petroleum distribution business and founder of an insurance agency. He lives in Jackson, southeast of Atlanta, and served 10 years in the state Senate before winning election as lieutenant governor in 2022.
His family money could help finance his campaign, as could $14 million that Jones said he has raised for his leadership committee as lieutenant governor. That unusual fundraising vehicle allows Jones to raise unlimited campaign contributions, even while legislators are meeting. Most other officials, including Carr, can only raise limited amounts and can’t cash checks during legislative sessions. Carr’s campaign has already signaled it will renew court challenges to leadership committees if Jones tries to spend that cash on the governor’s race.
Jones hopes that money, as well as his Trump ties, will help cast him as the front-runner. But although Jones and Carr have differences, they both are making the same appeal, that Georgians should continue electing Republicans to run things.
“We’ve had a great run here in this state, and there’s nothing but opportunity in front of us,” Jones said at the Republican convention. “But we’ve got to keep good leadership.”
“My journey — from walk-on football player to team captain at the University of Georgia — proves I know how to dream big and deliver results,” Lt. Gov. Jones’ YouTube page stated. “Now, I’m ready to fight every day for your family and for the future of our state.”
Jones was one of President Trump’s more visible and vocal backers during his attempts in 2020 to have a special session of the Georgia General Assembly convened to overturn former President Joe Biden’s win in Georgia.
He was then elected in 2022 to the lieutenant governor post, where, as president of the state Senate, he has helped steer conservative priorities such as a school choice scholarship program and restricting trans participation in school sports.
“As Lieutenant Governor, I’ve fought to cut our state income tax, put billions of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking Georgians, expanded educational opportunities, protected girls’ sports, cracked down on illegal immigration, invested in rural Georgia, and delivered real results to make our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Jones’ post on X stated.
Jones begins his gubernatorial bid with $14 million cash on hand, according to a press release that accompanied his launch video. That figure makes him by far the best-financed candidate in the race so far.
Carr’s campaign announced Monday it has pulled in close to $3.5 million. On the Democrats’ side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and State Senator Jason Esteves both recently announced fundraising hauls of about $1.1 million.
Jones, 46, launched his political career in the state Senate with his first election victory in 2012. He served a decade representing the 25th District, which includes several counties south of the Athens area, before he won the 2022 race for lieutenant governor.
He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2002, where he served as captain of the football team during his senior season, which saw the Bulldogs claim the SEC Championship. His private sector career included working with his family’s business, Jones Petroleum, and founding a risk-management company, JP Capital & Insurance, Inc.
Forsyth Mayor Eric Wilson announced he is running for the State Senate District 18 seat being vacated by Sen. John F. Kennedy, according to 13WMAZ.
The Mayor of Forsyth is looking to take the next step in his political career.
Eric Wilson, a longtime Forsyth resident, announced on Tuesday his plans to begin his campaign for a State Senate Seat.
Specifically, he’ll be running for District 18, which includes all of Crawford, Monroe, Peach and Upson and parts of both Bibb and Houston County.
He’ll be running to replace current State Sen. John F. Kennedy, who recently announced his campaign to be the next Lieutenant Governor.
“I am running for State Senate because Middle Georgia needs strong, conservative and experienced leadership fighting for us and our values at the State Capitol – just as Senator Kennedy has done,” Wilson said in a statement.
Wilson, who’s lived in Forsyth since 2002, has served as Mayor of the City since November 2015. Before then, he served on the Forsyth City Council for six years.
He’s a self-described Republican businessman and is the President and CEO of MedPro EMS, a private ambulance service in Forsyth in Warner Robins.
The licensed paramedic has been a small business owner since 2000, and during that time, served as a regional project manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development from 1998 to 2002.
Wilson has also served as a chairman or part of a committee for several organizations, associations and agencies in Central Georgia. He was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp on the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.
“Governor Kemp, Senator Kennedy and the Republican majority in the legislature have done a great job of cutting taxes, cracking down on illegal immigration, defending law enforcement and making Georgia the number one state in which to do business. I want to help continue that record of success,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he believes his background as a small business and as a mayor sets him aside as a strong candidate for the State Senate.
He said that, not only does he understand the conservative values the Republican party prioritizes, but, if elected, will lead with a “conservative common-sense.”
“I’m ready to put my experience and my commitment to our values to work for Middle Georgia at the Capitol.”
Wilson’s name will be on the ballot for the Republican Primary that will take place in May of 2026. He did not say if he would relinquish his position as mayor, or who would run the day-to-day operations during the heart of his campaign.
“I’ll always put the people of Middle Georgia first and I look forward to earning the trust and support of the people of Senate District 18 in the months ahead,” Wilson said.
Hall County Commissioner Greg Poole announced he will run for Congress, according to AccessWDUN.
Poole made the announcement Thursday morning on WDUN’s “The Martha Zoller Show” with Tom Smiley. He will run in the 2026 Republican primary against incumbent Congressman Andrew Clyde and Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon. Democrat Nick Alex is also seeking the seat.
Poole said he believes he is the best representative for the district.
“I am the 9th District,” Poole said. “I was born and raised here, I’ve lived here my whole life in (Hall) County, in this district. I can promise you I will be a voice of the people.”
Poole is a Baptist preacher and works for an electrical contracting company. He was elected to the District 3 seat on the Hall County Board of Commissioners in 2022.
Poole said, if elected, his primary focus would be on infrastructure improvements for the Northeast Georgia area.
“One of the things is, when I get on I-985 I want to ask the question, why is it not three-lane already?” Poole said. “My idea is to extend 985 all the way up the Ga. 365 corridor and tie it back into I-85 through Toccoa. These are transformational jobs that’s not just spending money, it’s an investment by the federal government…Do I think (9th District Congressman Andrew Clyde) can do it? I don’t know, but here’s another thing, do I think he’s tried to do it? No.”
Poole said his campaign has just begun and that he currently does not have a website, but did offer his personal phone number of 678-617-1734.
Augusta Commissioners are moving toward a proposal to open an outdoor adventure center, according to the Augusta Chronicle.
The Augusta Commission’s Public Service Committee unanimously agreed to recommend the city pursue a proposal to establish an Outdoor Urban Adventure Center at the city’s Freedom Bridge, formerly the Fifth Street Bridge.
The committee vote Tuesday was “a great response of support from them,” according to Jennifer Bowen, chief strategy officer and senior vice president of Destination Augusta, the city’s tourism office.
The project first must be permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because of its river proximity.
A company called The Forge operates 16 similar adventure centers across the Chicago area, and has consulted on projects similar to the one that representatives of The Forge Georgia LLC pitched to city leaders initially two years ago.
The proposed agreement between the city and The Forge would be effective through 2030.
Under the agreement, the Forge will independently manage and operate the center, and report to the city quarterly. The Forge also will be responsible for staffing, maintenance, legal compliance and insurance.
The Forge programs and presents outdoor activities, classes, races, live music and other special events. But the feature that has grabbed the most local attention is a proposed eight-story climbing tower and riverside zipline. Cable-suspended pulleys, and gravity, provide the “zip.”
The estimated, updated price tag: $2.95 million, much of it covered by a voter-approved funding allocation through SPLOST 8, a recent iteration of the special-purpose local option sales tax.
Other avenues of funding include a pledge from the Augusta-based Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, a private foundation dedicated to improving the lives of people with physical disabilities.
In 2023, commissioners approved a zipline course as part of the center to be added to the Freedom Bridge at Fifth Street.
Destination Augusta is handling the adventure center, which is being made possible with SPLOST 8 funds.
Destination Augusta said the project will “transform the riverfront with a dramatic eight-story illuminated climbing tower and zipline platform, allowing visitors to soar above the Savannah River.”
It will change the skyline of Augusta’s riverfront and be a destination for residents and visitors.
“It ties into the Freedom Bridge. I think you’re going to see some great things. A lot of people will travel from outside the area to come and take a ride on this thing,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle.
This thing will be an outdoor adventure center, where people will zip line out to the middle of the Freedom Bridge and back from this giant tower that will also have rocking climbing and observation decks.
“It will be eight stories tall, actually, so eight stories at what’s called the X tower, which is actually the climbing and zipping tower,” said Jennifer Bowen of Destination Augusta.
Commissioners approved a contract with an Illinois company to design, build, and operate this outdoor adventure center.
“Bringing not only tourists in, giving them a reason to make Augusta their destination. Also so people who live here have something to do,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.
Augusta voters approved $1.75 million dollars in sales tax money for the project and city leaders see it becoming a major attraction.
“On the river taking advantage of the bridge we’ve already got built, the company has a great track record in other cities. I think it’s going to be game changing,” said Commissioner Tina Slendak.
Macon-Bibb County Transit Agency launched a pilot program for a new door-to-door van service, according to 13WMAZ.
The pilot program launched Monday, allowing volunteers to request free rides through a smartphone app in four target areas: downtown Macon, Shirley Hills, Gray Highway and Ingleside. The service operates from 7:00 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday using four designated vans.
Debbie Vetters, who works for the MTA, volunteered to test the service as a regular rider and praised the convenience and reliability of her first experience.
”They picked me up on time. I got picked up right in front of my house,” Vetters said. “The bus was comfortable. We got to work in the same amount of time that it would take me to drive.”
The service provides riders with 30-minute pickup windows after they request rides through the app. Vetters said she requested a 7:30 a.m. pickup and was collected at 7:21 a.m.
“I got to sit back and sightsee instead of pay attention to the other drivers,” she said. “They dropped me off at the door to my office.”
However, the free pilot program ends November 1, when riders will begin paying $5 for trips until 6 p.m. and $8 for evening rides until midnight. Some current bus users worry about the price increase from the current $1.25 and $1.75 regular bus fares.
Maretha Hampton, who moved to Macon from Texas and relies on public transit, questioned whether the higher fares will sustain ridership.
“It’s gonna fail when the $5 starts because they’re gonna feel like ‘why do I gotta pay $5?’” Hampton said. “I just pay $1. I just feel like they need to just upgrade the bus system, just get more workers, get more buses so it won’t be a whole hour until the next bus comes.”
Last year, Warner Robins City Council passed an ordinance levying additional property taxes on “blighted properties,” according to 13WMAZ.
Nearly one year ago, Warner Robins city leaders passed a blight tax ordinance aimed at cleaning up vacant homes and neglected properties that have become eyesores across the community.
The ordinance targets property owners by imposing an additional tax up to 10 mills on vacant, unsafe, or rundown properties if owners do not take steps to fix the issues.
Since its implementation in 2024, some properties have been cleaned up, but others remain neglected. Blight often starts small, such as a leaking roof or broken window, and if left unchecked, can lead to empty buildings, trash-filled lots, and forgotten corners of neighborhoods.
Under the ordinance, property owners receive a written warning and have 30 days to request a municipal court hearing. After a city inspection, a judge makes the final decision on whether to impose additional taxes.
Augusta Commissioners are considering a proposed project list for a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST 9) referendum, according to WRDW.
City Administrator Tameka Allen presented the proposed list to Augusta Commission members Tuesday.
Commissioners were meeting at the committee level – meaning most decisions have to be forwarded to a later meeting of the full commission – and the panel accepted the list as information.
The SPLOST 8 total was $250.29 million, and the SPLOST 9 requests total is more than $1 billion.
The recommended projects total $426 million. Allen recommends that the number not be increased, calling it a “very large SPLOST package.”
Colquitt County property owners are receiving property tax assessment notices, according to the Moultrie Observer.
Colquitt County residents started getting their 2025 Annual Property Assessment notices, dated June 30, over the weekend. The last date to file a written appeal for this year’s property assessment is Aug. 14.
Last year, many residents saw a significant increase in their property assessments and subsequent taxes.
Colquitt County Board of Tax Assessors Chief Appraiser Jim Mac Booth told county commissioners last July that the value increases were widespread throughout the community, except for one neighborhood in Northwest Moultrie. The average percent of increase for the entire county was 17%, he said. He attributed the increases in the annual property tax assessments to the sales of homes.
Last year, according to Booth, 800 residents appealed their property assessments and, when asked by County Administrator Chas Cannon at the July 1 commission meeting, he said there were still 58 left to resolve.
At the county commission meeting last week, Commissioner Paul Nagy asked when the tax digest would be given to them, so that the county can set this year’s millage rate. Cannon told him they should have it shortly. The tax digest is a listing of all of the properties within the county with their assessed values, and this is used to set the annual millage rate for local governments.
Lilburn City Council is considering adopting the previous year’s millage rate in what is considered a tax hike under Georgia state law. From the Gwinnett Daily Post:
City leaders plan to keep their millage rate, which determines how much property owners owe in property taxes, at 4.43 mills for this year. Since home values have gone up, however, keeping the millage rate the same means property owners will end up paying more in taxes.
“Real and personal property taxes make up approximately 27 percent of the city’s general fund budget,” city officials said in an announcement on Tuesday. “This estimate includes changes in the assessed value of properties, pending appeals and new growth.”
As for much property owners can expect their city taxes to increase by, officials said a home owner who has a homestead exemption and whose home has a fair market value of $278,600 can expect a tax increase of about $42.79. Meanwhile, the owner of a non-homestead property, such as a commercial property, that has the same fair market value can expect their taxes to go up by about $44.80.
Calhoun City Council enacted a 180-day moratorium on new licenses for liquor stores and those selling THC-related products, according to WRGA News.
The moratorium covers the acceptance or consideration of all applications for zoning decisions, land disturbance permits, and licenses for gas stations, convenience stores, food marts, and other retail establishments seeking to sell alcoholic or THC-infused consumables for off-premises consumption.
According to the resolution, the number of applications for such stores has increased significantly in the last six months.
The moratorium will give city officials time to examine and revise the City’s zoning and licensing codes.
The moratorium will remain in place until January 3, 2026.
In June, both the Rome City and Floyd County Commissions implemented a six-month moratorium on the issuance of permits for new convenience stores, citing the proliferation of such stores locally.
Columbus City Council was unable to decide whether to pay legal fees for city employees investigated over mismanagement allegations, according to WTVM.
The fees were incurred when the HR Director of the Finance Department sought legal representation during a sheriff’s office investigation into the former city manager’s leaked tax information. Some council members argue the law firm overcharged the city, while others believe the city is legally obligated to pay.
City Attorney Clifton Fay advised the council to pay the fees, warning that fighting the charges could result in even more taxpayer expense. However, some councilors believe there are legal avenues to challenge the amount.
“After going back and doing some due diligence and studying this, a judge can make that determination if it’s excessive fees or not. They do it all the time,” said District 2 Councilman Glen Davis.
Councilman Walker Garrett previously cited Georgia law, which requires the city to pay legal fees for employees who should not have faced charges in the first place. The fees in question stem from an investigation that led to the arrest of the current Finance Director and a former tax supervisor.
“The fees were looked at by our office, they were reasonable with the market, the court has not said the local government body can question the fees,” said City Attorney Clifton Fay. “The fees are paid as an expense of government operations according to the courts.”
District 1 Councilman Byron Hickey expressed concern over the lack of transparency: “I don’t think anyone on this council body even saw the invoice. I know I didn’t see it. We were presented with the amount, it was said by law we have to pay it. In my opinion I just think that what’s fair to the citizens is that we get this right.”
Councilor Glen Davis made two motions—one to reconsider paying the fees and another to draft a resolution to file a grievance. Neither motion received support. Instead, the council opted to conduct further research, especially since the city attorney cannot participate due to a conflict of interest.
In a heated discussion during Tuesday’s meeting, Columbus Councilors disgreed with City Attorney Clifton Fay over the city’s payment of an employee’s legal fees after an investigation into the Columbus Consolidated Government’s finance department.
Councilor Glenn Davis of District 2 asked whether the city had paid the $37,705 to the Robbins Law Firm of Atlanta and the reimbursement of $5,000 to CCG human resources director Reather Hollowell, for payments she made to the firm. The council voted 6-4 last month to pay the fee and the reimbursement.
There are often a lot of lawsuits against the city, Davis said, and most of the time, there’s a process for paying those costs. This situation did not go through a process before the city received a bill for about $45,000, he said.
“I think it sets a very dangerous precedent,” he said. “I know there are some that question that. It does set a precedent because, if you open that door, there’s no stopping it.”
Davis said he understands the Georgia Court of Appeals decided the fees must be paid and he isn’t questioning that, but he does question whether the amount is excessive.
Davis made a motion, after learning that the check was issued on June 21, that the council file a grievance with the State Bar of Georgia over the fees. He argued that they are excessive and that this could set a precedent for others to take advantage of the rule that required the city to pay the fees.
When an official acting in their official capacity is required to hire outside counsel because the city attorney is unable to represent them, Fay said, then the local government must pay a local attorney’s fees if the official is successful in asserting his or her position.
This is the case for Hollowell, Fay told the council during the June 17 meeting and again during Tuesday’s meeting. The Georgia Court of Appeals repeatedly has ruled this way, he said, and the Georgia Supreme Court upheld this law in 2001.
“We are not bringing you fees and a resolution to pay that are unreasonable,” Fay said. “The fees were looked at by our office. They were reasonable with the market. The court has not said that a local government body can question the fees.” The fees are paid as an expense of government operation, Fay said.
To go back on this would mean filing another action in court and expending more legal fees, he said, but he doesn’t recommend it.
“You’re probably going to get more of this type of fee request, depending on how the investigation ends up,” Fay told Davis.
Davis agreed with the sentiment that more of this type of request is likely, but he argued Fay is wrong in his assessment that the city couldn’t file a grievance.
Fay argued that a government body can not file a grievance. As the two began going back-and-forth, Davis stated his information comes from the State Bar of Georgia.
“If you want to file an action in the state bar against the attorney, that’s an individual matter,” Fay said. “That’s not a governmental entity decision.”
When Davis made his motion to file a grievance with the state bar, Fay said he does not recommend the council make any resolution claiming the fees are excessive.
“It’s going to cost you a lawyer fee and a lot of expense to file something that’s going to be contested,” Fay said. “I can tell you that right now.”
Davis argued he doesn’t understand the danger in pursuing this, while Fay said doing so would use more taxpayer dollars.
“What does your office do?,” Davis asked Fay. “If we ask you to file a grievance, why can’t you file a grievance?”
Mayor Skip Henderson interceded. He explained that the city attorney’s office responds to requests for information about whether there is “prudent legal activity” from the mayor and the council.
Davis may file the grievance as an individual, Henderson said, backing Fay’s argument. This path would not use taxpayer money, he said.
“When our city attorney tells us that their recommendation is not to proceed down that road, I think that’s the dangerous precedent — to ignore our attorney,” Henderson said.
Davis disagreed with the mayor. He said that would be a “cowardly” approach. He argued an individual filing would not hold the weight of the council.
“You are free to go get a second opinion, Councilor,” Fay told Davis. “But this office, and this city attorney, is not going to file a grievance against another lawyer whose fees have been authorized by appellate court decisions.”
“Do you want to say that again?” Davis asked.
Fay repeated himself, saying he refused to file a grievance against a lawyer about fees that are authorized by case law. He later clarified that he also has a conflict of interest in the matter, so if the council decides to go this route, then they would have to hire an outside attorney.
Councilor Byron Hickey of District 1 then seconded Davis’ motion to make a resolution to file a grievance. Councilor John Anker of citywide District 9 also indicated he would support Davis’ approach.
Federal budget changes may shutter programs for children in Central Georgia, according to the Macon Telegraph.
A delay in the release of more than $201 million in federal funds for Georgia could jeopardize after-school and summer programs serving tens of thousands of children and families across Central Georgia, according to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia.
Despite already being approved by Congress, fiscal year 2025 U.S. Department of Education money — including the money allocated to 21st Century Community Learning Centers — was not released by the expected July 1 deadline, affecting school programs in Georgia and other states just weeks before the upcoming school year begins.
States have been notified that the funding will be withheld indefinitely, raising concerns among education and youth service leaders. Phillip Bryant, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, said the federal decision threatens roughly $864,621 in funding for the organization, as well as the tens of thousands of children and hardworking families who rely on its services.
“The indefinite withholding of 21 CCLC funding, coupled with the recent passage of federal legislation, which includes significant cuts to the U.S. Department of Education and its programs are unprecedented,” Bryant said in a statement.
Georgia’s grant allocation for Title IV-B , which funds 21st CCLC, was over $47.1 million, according to data provided by the Georgia Department of Education.
The money given to 21st CCLC supports programs run by local school districts, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other agencies in central Georgia, Bryant said.
Bryant said the lack of the essential funds disrupts invaluable after-school, summer programs and college access programs throughout Central Georgia. This includes homework help, college access, summer day camps, meals, mentoring and workforce readiness.
“Families that rely on these programs now face uncertain care options, leaving children without essential safety nets,” Bryant said. “Families will lose access to necessary support, including healthy meals, caring mentors, and secure spaces during the most vulnerable hours of the day. This situation could also result in the loss of hundreds of jobs across the region.”
Withheld federal funding for after-school and summer enrichment programs is setting off alarms in Georgia.
According to the National Education Association, Georgia may lose around $100 million for these programs.
The money also helped train teachers and the cuts will heavily impact schools that don’t have extra funds to cover these types of programs.
The Georgia Association of Educators say it’s leaving parents and school districts scrambling.
“Here we are 30 days before the beginning of school in the vast majority of our districts and parents are scrambling because they don’t know if that after-school care is going to be therem” said Lisa Morgan, of the association.
In a statement released Monday, Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods said: “I deeply believe in fiscal responsibility, which means evaluating the use of funds and seeking out efficiencies, but also means being responsible – releasing funds already approved by Congress and signed by President Trump. In Georgia, we’re getting ready to start the school year, so I call on federal funds to be released so we can ensure the success of our students.”
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