RINGGOLD, Ga. - In the race to determine who will be the head of Catoosa County's local government, the two candidates are vying to be the better small-government, low-tax, business-friendly politician.
Keith Greene, Catoosa County's board of commissioners chairman for the past 7 years, is leaning on what he sees as accomplishments under his watch. His challenger, Steven Henry, is pointing to his experience as a home builder - and asking voters to believe those skills will translate to a successful politician.
Greene and Henry will face each other in the May 24 Republican Primary, and on Monday night they fielded questions from residents during a town hall forum inside the Catoosa County Colonnade.
Catoosa County Commission Board Chair Keith Greene, right, answers a question as challenger Steven Henry listens Monday, April 4, 2016 at the Colonnade in Ringgold, Ga.Greene pointed out that, relatively speaking, the local portion of property taxes is low under his watch. The county has the 16th-lowest millage rate in the state, he said. He said all spending is approved during public board of commissioners' meetings, so residents should be able to figure out where their money is going.
He also reminded voters that the county has seen a boost in sales tax revenue with the opening of Costco and Cabela's.
Greene predicted that the millage rate in Catoosa County will soon decrease. He said local property values dropped after the 2011 tornadoes, but they are slowly rising. With time, each property will be worth more. And when the house prices go up, the county will be able to lower the rate of taxes.
"If we keep the budget the same and keep it steady," he said, "we should be able to decrease our millage rates."
Henry, meanwhile, argued that the county should do more to encourage local business growth. He said he is positioned to do that, seeing that he himself is a local business owner.
A lifelong resident, Henry told the audience Monday night that the county was once "hustling, bustling" with businesses.
"I think we could do more," he said. "When I was a kid, we'd get out of school, and there were certain places we'd have to go at 2 o'clock, 2:30. The streets were full [because of so much business]."
Greene said one of the county's greatest accomplishments under his watch was the handling of the 2011 tornadoes. He said the county was able to recover without taking any loans.
"We recovered very quickly," he said. "We were able to self-fund that recover."
Henry said his own business suffered from the tornadoes, and he, too, was able to recover. He believes this shows he can handle a crisis if he is elected as the board's chairman.
In addition to the race between Greene and Henry, candidates for the county's tax commissioner position and the sheriff answered questions Monday night. The tax commission candidates are Gary Wayne Autry, Jama House, Mike Key and Charlie Stephens.
Most questions directed to these candidates were about tax rates - why aren't they lower, and why don't exemptions kick in at younger ages - but the candidates informed the audience that these issues don't fall under their purview: They are in office to collect the taxes and educate the public about what they owe. The tax commissioner does not set tax rates or create exemptions for certain people.
The sheriff's race is between Gary Sisk, the incumbent, and Ben Scott. Sisk became sheriff in 2012.
The Catoosa County Republican Party sponsored Monday's forum.
Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at 423-757-6476 or tjett@timesfreepress.com.