Dalton Daily Citizen

11/07/2025

Results, Reactions & Reality: From tax relief to utility oversight, voters’ choices signal change — now the focus shifts from election to effects

Roughly 80% of local voters approved increasing the age-related homestead exemption to $325,000 for calculating ad valorem taxes for the Whitfield County School District and Dalton Public Schools. As a result, homeowners age 70 and older who qualify for a homestead exemption will not pay property taxes on the first $325,000 of assessed value on their registered homestead property.

Roughly 80% of local voters also approved creating a base-year homestead exemption to be applied when calculating ad valorem taxes for the Whitfield County School District and Dalton Public Schools, using 2026 as the base year for home valuations. Under the measure, future increases in taxable value for qualified homestead properties will be limited to the rate of inflation, regardless of changes in assessed value, until the property is sold or significant improvements are made.

Following the election, local school system superintendents said the decision did not come as a “surprise.”

“I’m not surprised at all,” said Dalton Public Schools’ Superintendent Steven Craft. “They were written to be passed and I think a lot of people don’t truly understand how impactful these can be, but that’s not going to change anything for Dalton Public Schools. We are still committed to providing an amazing education and experience for our kids.”

Whitfield County Schools’ Superintendent Mike Ewton said the votes “were to be expected.” ....

Read more at: https://daltoncitizen.com/2025/11/07/results-reactions-reality-from-tax-relief-to-utility-oversight-voters-choices-signal-change-now-the-focus-shifts-from-election-to-effects/

Read more at: https://daltoncitizen.com/2025/11/07/results-reactions-reality-from-tax-relief-to-utility-oversight-voters-choices-signal-change-now-the-focus-shifts-from-election-to-effects/

Education Impact Local superintendents discuss future impacts of election results By Brady Hix [email protected] Roughly 80% of local voters approved increasing the age-related homestead exemption to $325,000 for calculating ad valorem taxes for the Whitfield County School District and Dal...

11/07/2025

Whitfield County residents will have an expanded opportunity to hear or comment on Friday’s public hearings on the proposed 2025 property tax rate. The two public hearings are both scheduled Friday, Nov. 7 at noon and 6 p.m. in the fifth-floor conference room of the Wells Fargo Building, 201 S. Hamilton Street, Dalton. County officials said that because that is where they have been legally advertised as taking place they cannot move the meetings.

Read more at: https://daltoncitizen.com/2025/11/07/whitfield-county-adds-viewing-commenting-opportunities-for-tax-hearings/

11/07/2025

Christian Heritage School launches ‘Momentum of One’ Campaign A vision to transform the educational experience across Northwest Georgia

Read more at: https://daltoncitizen.com/2025/11/07/christian-heritage-school-launches-momentum-of-one-campaign-a-vision-to-transform-the-educational-experience-across-northwest-georgia/

11/07/2025

🧥❄️ County Winter Coat Drive ❄️🧥
Murray County Local Government Offices have partnered with Murray County Schools to help families stay warm this winter! We’re collecting new or gently used coats for children, as well as monetary donations to purchase coats for those in need.

🗓️ Donations accepted now through Friday, November 21st
📍 Drop-off locations listed on the flyer below
Together, we can make sure every child in Murray County has a warm coat this winter. ❤️

11/07/2025

This weekend, don't forget to cast your vote for Michelle Caldwell, our Chief Officer of Assessment, Accountability & Technology, in GLISI's Hidden Heroes Campaign! You can vote once per day per email address using the link below.

https://hiddenheroes.glisi.org/2025/entry/316

Thank you for helping us recognize our Hidden Hero!

11/07/2025

Dalton’s Stephens runs in Marine Corps Marathon: Helps raise awareness of veteran suicides

Read more at: https://daltoncitizen.com/2025/11/07/daltons-stephens-runs-in-marine-corps-marathon-helps-raise-awareness-of-veteran-suicides/

11/05/2025

11/05/2025

Public Service Commission Statewide results - not 100% of precincts yet, but with only 1 precinct not fully reported, the overall results will be unchanged by that precinct. All results are incomplete and not final until certified later this week.

Thanks to everyone who followed along tonight as results came in! We know there were a few typos and late-night hiccups, but we appreciate your patience while a very small team worked hard to bring you the latest, live.

11/05/2025

Preliminary voting stats in Whitfield County:

Whitfield County Election Office completed Election Day vote tally counts for all 23 precincts in roughly 1 hour and 47 minutes.

Out of 58,714 registered voters in Whitfield County, there were 8,904 ballots cast, for a turnout of 15.17%.

See Friday's Dalton Daily Citizen for in-depth result, reaction and impact reports.

11/05/2025

Statewide PSC races: Tallies as of 7:50. (Not final)

11/05/2025

DALTON DAILY CITIZEN — ELECTION NIGHT UPDATE -City of Tunnel Hill – Create Senior Exemption ($325,000) for 70+

The Dalton Daily Citizen is keeping you up to date as local election results are released from the Whitfield County Elections Office. Stay with us this evening as we share results as they are tallied. Currently, no election day votes are yet reported, but we do have some early Advance voting tallies. Remember, these are partial results, and are not official until certified by the Elections office. Statewide results for the Public Service Commission races are not included in this update, we will provide statewide tallies on those races momentarily: (Note that each ballot measure or race will have its own post here on our page, and any updates for that race will be posed in the comments of that post).

UNCONTESTED RACES WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN ONGOING UPDATES