Dear Editor,
Liberty County, wake up! The Liberty County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on June 3, 2025 at 6 p.m. During this meeting, it took the board less than 15 minutes to hear the financial report given by Ms. Richardson. The three resolutions were unanimously voted through to continue to move forward the FY 2026 budget. There were six of the seven commissioners present; Commissioner Walden was absent. There was little discussion of the details of the proposed $65.6 million general fund budget, however, Chairman Donald Lovette did make the point that this is a 5.1% increase over last year’s budget.
I do not believe that Liberty County has a taxation problem. I do believe that our elected commissioners have a spending problem that results in higher taxes.
Let’s review some facts, all of which can be found online on numerous websites. To the Board of Commissioners, if you disagree with my facts, do your homework. I welcome an open discussion at a board meeting. I am writing this letter because there isn’t a routine opportunity for citizens to speak at your meetings.
- With the exception of Commissioner Blount, all board members have been in office over 10 years, some over 20 years.
- Going back to 2017, the general fund budget was $27.2 million.
- As stated earlier, FY26 proposed budget is $65.6 million.
- FY26 proposal of $65.6 million is approximately a 117% increase in spending over the budget of $27.2 million on 2017, just 10 years ago.
- With the exception of 2021 and 2022, Georgia has had an annual inflation rate of 5% or less over this same period. The cumulative inflation is 30.47%, with an average rate of 3.38% annually.
- The median household income in Liberty County in 2017 was $45,655. Presently all sites put the household median income between $55,000 and $59,000.
- The current household median income average in Georgia ranges between $71,000 and $74,000, depending on the source.
- While Liberty County general fund expenditures have increased by 117%, the household median income in Liberty County has increased by less than 25%.
- Liberty County’s population is less than 70,000.
- Liberty County is ranked 1,109 of the 3,143 counties in the USA for property taxes as a percentage of median income. (2.35%) - Liberty County has a 38.6% higher property tax rate than the average in Georgia, 1.15% vs 0.83%.
- Liberty County is ranked 19 of 159 counties; Liberty is the 19th most expensive county in terms of property tax rate.
- Liberty County is ranked second of 159 counties for median property tax as a percentage of home value.
- The proposed FY2026 budget is a 5.1% increase.
- The current inflation rate is 3.5%.
- Liberty County poverty rate is stagnant at approximately 16% annually.
- Liberty County is in the bottom 25% of counties in Georgia for per capita income, ranking approximately 121 of 159, depending on the source.
There are a few conclusions one can immediately draw from these facts. Liberty County spending has increased at a rate that far exceeds both the inflation rate and income growth in the county. Liberty County is a high tax county in comparison to the other 159 counties in the state, as well as the 3,143 counties in the U.S. This spending has been a consistent trend over 10 years – one could even call it a habit.
With one exception, the current Board of Commissioners are fully responsible for this continued spending spree. At this point, there is no indication or reason to believe that the board will suddenly embrace fiscal responsibility or discipline themselves into adopting responsible spending habits with taxpayer dollars.
The question must be asked, “When, where, and how does the spending, which results in excessive taxation, stop?” The trend clearly shows the appetite for spending outpaces the resident and taxpayer’s ability to generate personal income to satisfy the tax bill. Only public attention, and public pressure by the voters, will bring this under control. Ultimately, the power to influence and change this lies at the ballot box. Meanwhile, make your voices heard at the Board of Commissioners meeting.
In closing, I ask you to consider this: if the current Board of Commissioners actions over the years have truly been good for Liberty County, then why does our county consistently rank on the wrong side of nearly every economic measure – both among Georgia’s 159 counties and nationally?
If the county is making great economic progress, why are your taxes steadily rising?
Glenn Burch. Hinesville