Dallas Miller, Gilmer County Post 1 Commissioner, announced today that he will be running for re-election in the May 24th Republican Primary.

Commissioner Miller was elected in December, 2013 at a special called election to fill the remaining three years of the late Commissioner Randy Bell’s term. That term ends December 31, 2016.
Commissioner Miller thanks the citizens of Gilmer County for their support and encouragement and prayers during this difficult time in our County.
“During my campaign in 2013, I stressed that I would focus on three priorities:”
1) Managing the county’s large debt.
2) Holding the line on tax increases.
3) Growing the local economy.

In my first 2 years as Commissioner,
• The county has reduced its bond interest payments by refinancing more than $30 Million of long-term General Obligation and Revenue Bonds. Last week’s refinancing of $5,160,000 in Revenue Bonds resulted in a gross savings of $530,801 in interest, based on a new interest rate of 1.85%, down from 4.53%.
• The county has reduced its short-term debt requirement from $5 Million to less than $1.5 Million per year.
• The county has not raised the Property Tax millage rate.
• The creation of the Joint Development Authority by Ellijay, East Ellijay, and Gilmer County provided a much needed focus on retaining and growing current businesses as well as attracting new businesses and jobs to Gilmer County.
The next five years will continue to be challenging ones for Gilmer County.
My priorities, if re-elected, will be four fold:
1) Fight against State and Federal regulations and rules and unfunded mandates that infringe on private citizens and local governments right to local control. The one-size-fits-all solutions by the State and Federal government are not working for the citizens of Gilmer County.
2) Reduce local government barriers to attracting additional businesses to our county. We must become more business-friendly.
3) Rebuild the infrastructure of our county; improving roads and bridges, better access to healthcare, and more outdoor recreational facilities, such as the Clear Creek Ball Fields, without increasing property taxes.
4) Increase cooperation and coordination between County Commissioners, City Councils, School Board members, and State agencies. We must stop looking at each other as the enemy.

“I ask for your continued support and prayers during this last year of my current term and for your vote in the May 24th Republican Primary. It is an honor to serve the citizens of Gilmer County.”