Local government roundup: sales tax referendums in Athens, Oconee; moratorium in Jefferson

Hall Co Commissioners get pay raise

Today marks the end of the first of three weeks of early voting in Athens and Oconee County, with voters in both counties deciding sales tax referendums: it’s a proposed education sales tax in Athens-Clarke County; a transportation sales tax referendum in Oconee County. Early voting continues through October 29; election day is November 2.

The City Council in Jefferson has approved a 60-day moratorium on new residential developments on commercial properties in Jefferson.

There is a holiday cancellation in Madison County, where the City of Colbert says it will not be holding its annual Christmas celebration this year.


Hall County Commissioners, meeting last night in Gainesville, signed off on the first Commission pay increase since 2007: Shelly Echols was the only dissenting vote in a move that boosts the annual salary for Commissioners to $45 thousand, with the Commission Chair getting $50 thousand a year.