After HOST Defeat, Cherokee Leaders Move On

Cherokee Commissioners believe "mistrust" led to the HOST's rejection by voters.

After HOST Defeat, Cherokee Leaders Move On

Cherokee Commissioners believe "mistrust" led to the HOST's rejection by voters.

In the aftermath of voters rejecting a proposal to use sales tax revenue to reduce property taxes, Cherokee County leaders are offering their thoughts on the referendum's defeat.  County leaders said they were disappointed in Tuesday's results in which voters defeated a proposed Homestead Option Sales Tax.  Cherokee voters rejected the measure, with 36 percent, or 32,150, voting in favor while 64 percent, or 56,190, voting against the first question. On the HOST's second question, 46 percent, or 40,344, approved the measure while 54 percent, or 46,830 voted to defeat it. The Homestead Option Sales Tax would have used revenue from the sales tax to reduce the county’s maintenance and operations portion of property taxes. It would not have …

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Cherokee Voters Reject HOST, Support Charter Amendment

Voters in Holly Springs also retained their incumbent city council members.

Riding a wave of opposition to new tax measures, voters in Cherokee County rejected a proposal to impose a one percent sales tax to be used to roll back county property taxes.  Cherokee voters rejected the measure, with 36 percent, or 32,150, voting in favor while 64 percent, or 56,190, voted against the first question. On the HOST's second question, 46 percent, or 40,344, approved the measure while 54 percent, or 46,830 voted to defeat it. The Homestead Option Sales Tax would have used revenue from the sales tax to reduce the county’s maintenance and operations portion of property taxes. It would not have applied to the school, fire district taxes and parks bond imposed by the county.  Georgia law required two questions to be placed on …

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Cherokee Votes 2012: Unofficial Results

Here's a rundown of how Cherokee County voted.

As of 10:02 p.m., here is an unofficial summary of how Cherokee County voted in the Nov. 6 election:  President Homestead Option Sales Tax 1st question Homestead Option Sales Tax 2nd question Amendment 1 (Charter School Amendment) State House District 20 Holly Springs Post 3 Holly Springs Post 4 Cherokee County has 128,873 registered voters and 98,495, or 76.43 percent, voted in the election.

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Letter To The Editor: Sen. Chip Rogers Urges 'Yes' on HOST

The senate majority leader writes in favor of the homestead option sales tax, calling it "true tax reform."

The following is an opinion piece written by State Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) in favor of the proposed Homestead Option Sales Tax, which will be on the Nov. 6 ballot for Cherokee County residents to consider. The incredible honor of serving in the legislature for the last decade has given me first hand contact with thousands of fellow Cherokee Countians. One message that has become crystal clear from voters is the need for tax reform.  On Nov. 6 we will go to the polls and choose whether to shift from a property tax to a sales tax for funding our local Cherokee County government. The question is whether to vote “Yes” or “No” on the HOST (Homestead Option Sales Tax).  In deciding on HOST, we will answer a fundamental question, is there …

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BOC Responds To Grand Jury's Call For Caution

County leaders are generally positive about the grand jury's take on the upcoming HOST referendum.

Cherokee County Commissioners are responding to calls for caution by the Cherokee County grand jury on the upcoming Nov. 6 referendum on a homestead option sales tax. The interim grand jury issued the presentment on Monday, which "strongly urge the residents of Cherokee County to research this new proposal before the upcoming November election." "We also urge county residents to read and understand the language of the two questions that will appear on the November ballot," it stated. While the proposal is revenue neutral for the county, the grand jury also urged residents to "be aware the new provision is a permanent tax unless repealed and does not put in place any restrictions on changing in the millage rate or assessment value for …

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Cherokee County grand jury warns residents on HOST referendum

The grand jury made the surprising move in its latest presentments.

A Cherokee County grand jury is warning residents to take caution on the upcoming referendum to impose a one-percent sales tax to roll back property taxes. According to the Cherokee Tribune, the grand jury asked voters to consider the ramifications of approving the HOST. “The tax is revenue neutral to the county,” according to the document. “However, be aware the new provision is a permanent tax unless repealed and does not put in place any restrictions on changing in the millage rate or assessment value for property.” The presentment went onto encourage residents to research the proposal and to make sure they understand the two questions on the ballot before heading to the polls on Nov. 6. If approved, it would impose a one percent sales …

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County Continues HOST Information Push

The proposed one-percent sales tax will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Cherokee County leaders continue the push out information on a proposed one-percent sales tax voters will consider on Nov. 6. County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens participated in two forums with Cherokee Bank and Cherokee Tribune to inform voters about the proposal. Ahrens is also making the rounds to make presentations during city council meetings. Ahrens presented his measure to Woodstock leaders on Monday and will be at the Ball Ground City Council meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. to discuss the proposal. The chairman noted he felt the forums "have done their jobs" and most participants asked good questions. One of the major hurdles is informing voters that the tax is not "asking for a new single dollar."  Ahrens said the proposal simply …

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Forum on Proposed Sales Tax Set For Tonight

The proposed 1 percent homestead option sales tax will be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

The last of two forums on the proposed Homestead Option Sales Tax will be held tonight in downtown Woodstock.  Snapshot: Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST) will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at the Chambers at City Center in downtown Woodstock. The chambers is located at 8534 Main Street.  Sponsored by Cherokee Bank and the Cherokee Tribune, the forum will give Cherokee County residents another opportunity to learn about the HOST and to ask questions about the proposal.  The measure will be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot and, if approved, would impose a one percent sales tax. The revenue would be used to rollback the county’s Maintenance & Operation property taxes. It does not apply to the school or fire district taxes collected by the …

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