SPLOST, tax districts defeated in Whitfield

David Pennington, the mayor of Dalton, Ga., stands outside of the City Hall facility

DALTON, Ga. – Whitfield County voters told officials Tuesday they want to keep their money in their pockets, soundly defeating a 1 percent sales tax increase that would have gone into effect in January.

Voters also defeated a referendum allowing tax allocation districts that officials have said would help attract business to the area.

With 22 percent of registered voters casting ballots countywide, 60 percent voted against the sales tax increase. The proposed increase had divided voters and officials across the county, with groups forming for and against the issue.