Joint Session Covers SPLOST, Infrastructure and Future Planning
Local leaders from across Dade County gathered Wednesday for their biannual joint session, sharing updates on infrastructure, economic development, public services and long-term planning efforts.
The meeting — one of two held each year in March and October — brought together the Dade County Board of Commissioners, the Trenton City Commission, the Dade County Water Authority, the Industrial Development Authority and the Dade County School Board.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the county’s upcoming SPLOST renewal, set for a voter referendum on May 19. Commission Chairman Don Townsend outlined how the penny sales tax functions and how it compares to property tax revenue.
“One year of SPLOST totals on average $3.8 million,” Townsend said. “One mill in Dade County raises about $680,000. That’s the equivalent of about five and a half mills.”
The current SPLOST expires June 30, 2027. The proposed continuation, also six years, would take effect July 1 of that year and is projected to raise approximately $23 million.
Townsend said the next cycle’s priority list includes road paving, public safety vehicles, parks and recreation improvements, water line work and the planned Next Generation 911 system, a federally driven update to emergency communications infrastructure that is being implemented in several states.
The county has been holding public input sessions at the courthouse and plans to expand them to fire stations across the county throughout April, with potential online sessions in early May.
Townsend also mentioned a meeting with state officials earlier that day, where discussion included two proposals under consideration in the Georgia legislature: a Senate bill that would phase out the state income tax through 2032 and a House proposal focused on eliminating property taxes. Both would shift greater reliance to sales tax revenue, though neither had passed both chambers as of the meeting. He added that a proposal to move Georgia to the Atlantic time zone also drew attention in the governor’s office.
Townsend also introduced the start of a new joint comprehensive plan for Dade County and the City of Trenton. The ten-year plan, which will extend through 2036 and be facilitated by the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, held its kickoff meeting the previous week. Community input sessions, steering committee work and public surveys are expected over the next nine to 12 months.
The Dade County Water Authority provided an overview of infrastructure conditions and system capacity.
The authority is evaluating several infrastructure projects, including a new 12-inch ductile iron line up Lookout Mountain estimated at $12 million, a loop system near Davis Elementary estimated at about $1 million, and a Piney Road to Creek Road connection estimated at $528,000. Officials are also reviewing alternative materials, which could offer cost savings.
The authority is pursuing a “Water First Community” designation through the state, which could provide access to lower interest rates on future financing. Board members noted that tariffs are increasing the cost of equipment and replacement parts, with those costs expected to be reflected in future rates.
On future water supply, officials said preliminary discussions have taken place with Tennessee American Water regarding a potential agreement, though those conversations are currently on hold pending infrastructure expansion on the Tennessee side. Any significant increase in water usage would also require additional sewer capacity, with Chattanooga’s Moccasin Bend treatment plant identified as a limiting factor.
Representing the city in the absence of Mayor Alex Case was Commissioner Monda Wooten.
Wooten reported that the Trenton-Dade Animal Center is nearing completion. The building is in place, final designs for HVAC, electrical and water systems are complete, and plumbing design is expected soon. The city and county have begun the process of hiring a director.
She said recent activity has highlighted ongoing animal control needs, noting that staff handled four hoarding situations in the past week. Transport efforts this week will move between 85 and 100 animals to rescue organizations in Nashville, Illinois, Chattanooga and Florida, which remains the preferred outcome when local adoption capacity is limited.
The city is also in early discussions with two developers regarding three potential “affordable housing” sites. Wooten noted that proposed home prices would range from approximately $285,000 to $325,000.
The city has also been working with the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority on long-term upgrades to waste management and pump facilities as part of a 25-year plan. In addition, the Downtown Development Authority has been reactivated and is pursuing a Rural Zone designation, a state program that provides tax incentives for businesses locating in designated downtown areas. The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission is expected to assist with the application.
The Industrial Development Authority reported that Dade County’s industrial park has grown by approximately 50 percent over the past six years, driven by existing tenants including Integer, Trenton Pressing and Chattanooga Industrial Motors. Officials noted that a prospective company was unable to locate in the county several months ago due to a lack of available development-ready acreage, an issue the authority is now working to address.
On tax abatements used to recruit industry, officials said agreements typically range from three to seven years depending on investment levels, job creation and wages. The authority has adopted a policy of declining incentives for companies that do not meet average industrial park wage benchmarks. Officials also discussed the Vanguard project, which received a 10-year abatement under different economic conditions following significant job losses in the area at the time.
The Alliance for Dade, represented by President and CEO Sandy White, reported the launch of several workforce development initiatives, including local forklift certification classes offered at a reduced cost compared to nearby markets and a new CPR certification program. The organization also reported a 17 percent increase in county visitation from 2024 to 2025, attributed to expanded marketing efforts and a regional tourism conference co-hosted with Walker County that drew approximately 130 professionals from across Georgia and Tennessee. A community leadership program is planned for launch in the fall, running through spring 2027.
School system updates were also shared during the session, with Superintendent Josh Ingle outlining early planning considerations related to future budgets.
Ingle said the district is managing a roughly $2.7 million gap in fiscal year 2026, currently covered by COVID-era federal funds that will not be available indefinitely. He noted that the district’s financial outlook will be addressed as part of the board’s regular budget process in the coming months.
Looking ahead to FY27, a change is expected in the school board’s employer contribution to employee health insurance, a rate set by the state, which is increasing from $945 per employee per month in FY23 to $2,028.
The district’s 74 classified employees all participate in the health plan, bringing total annual insurance costs to about $1.8 million at the new rate.
The system does not have the option to shop the open market for alternative rates due to its participation in the state retirement system. Ingle said the district will continue working through its options while keeping a focus on maintaining core student opportunities.
“Our kids come to school for the arts, athletics, academics,” he said. “So we want to be able to continue offering those programs.”
On a positive note, Ingle announced that both Dade Elementary and Davis Elementary have been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as distinguished MTSS schools, an honor awarded to only three schools statewide this year. State Superintendent Richard Woods is scheduled to visit April 7 to present banners.
Ingle also reported that Dade County High School increased its CCRPI score by 11 points in a single year following efforts to address chronic absenteeism. A year ago, roughly 25 percent of students were considered chronically absent.
He noted that enrollment is down, consistent with broader trends, but said the system has capacity for growth tied to housing, jobs and infrastructure.
“We need more young families here,” Ingle said. “But we’ve got to work on affordable housing. We’ve got to work on businesses. We’ve got to work on jobs. We’ve got to work on water. We’ve got to work on all of the infrastructure that supports that.”
The school system will host a career fair at the high school on April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon in coordination with the Alliance for Dade. Local businesses are expected to participate, and student-led tours of career and technical education labs will be available following the event.
