Gaston County board deadlocked on property values; revote on Friday
(This story was updated because the original included inaccuracies. In the original, County Tax Assessor Chelsea Tarbush's last name was misspelled. The name of Brittany Millwood Elkin, a local Realtor, was also listed incorrectly.) GASTONIA – In theory, it all comes down to a Cherryville commissioner who is a licensed and active Realtor about what your property taxes will be like next year. That is, if Gaston County Commissioners hold true to their deadlocked votes from Tuesday night, Oct. 27. That night, Commissioner Tom Keigher made the motion to approve the 2027 Schedule of Values, and Chair Chad Brown seconded it. Commissioners Scott Shehan, Jim Bailey and Cathy Cloninger voted no, while Brown, Vice Chair Bob Hovis and Keigher voted yes. Commissioner Allen Fraley was absent, so the 3-3 tie meant the motion failed. When the board meets Friday to revote, Fraley’s vote will decide whether the schedule that sets how property is valued in 2027 is adopted. If the three commissioners on each side stand firm, he is the deciding vote. Based on more information from the Gaston County Tax Office and staff sought by Brown, they will vote again within 66 hours of that deadlock on the document
