Commission votes to put floating local option sales tax referendum on November ballot (6–4)

The Athens‑Clarke County Commission voted on June 9 to place a resolution on the November ballot asking voters to decide whether to impose a floating local option sales tax (FLOST).

"This is a people decision, so we'll be voting in November," Commissioner Davenport said during debate, emphasizing that the commission's action merely places the question before voters. Several commissioners urged early and thorough public education about the proposal. "Communication will be key," one commissioner said.

Opponents raised equity concerns. Commissioner Fischer called the tax regressive and urged the commission to convene a work session to analyze who would shoulder the burden. "It is a regressive tax," Fischer said, and argued the commission should quantify the expected impacts on homeowners and renters before heavy outreach.

Commissioner Johnson also urged more transparency and said the county had not adequately educated the public since the proposal's initial presentation at a prior retreat.

A roll‑call recorded in the transcript shows the following votes: Davenport — yes; Link — yes; Taylor — yes; Wright — yes; Fisher — no; Johnson — no; Co Pepper — yes; Meyers — no; Thornton — no; Hammy — yes. The clerk announced a 6–4 vote in favor.

What happens next: commissioners and staff said they plan outreach and education between now and November, and suggested an August work session to quantify impacts and to prepare communications for voters.

(Direct quotations and vote tallies are taken from the meeting transcript and roll call.)