Houston County Chairman Dan Perdue reflects on past year, looks forward to next

HOUSTON COUNTY — Houston County Chairman Dan Perdue is about to finish his second year in the position. He sat down with the Journal and discussed notable accomplishments and things of note in this past year.

One accomplishment Perdue noted was the progress made on the upcoming Bonaire Water Tower, on track to be fully operational in May 2026.

“We are really excited about that and continuing to provide clean, abundant water to the citizens of Houston County, and really continue to support the growth that we’re seeing throughout the county through infrastructure improvements like that,” Perdue said.

The county is also in the process of acquiring and drilling a test well. Perdue said they have passed that test and are about to start construction on the water well and their next water treatment plant.

On the tax front, the county opted in to House Bill 581 or the Floating Homestead Exemption, which Perdue said is a new benefit for Houston County citizens.

“I’ll continue to encourage people. If you are a homeowner and you live in Houston County, you really should ensure that you have a homestead exemption by calling the Tax Assessor’s Office and applying for one if you don’t have it,” he said. “That will only continue to grow in value as that floating homestead exists longer and longer. I appreciate the three cities opting into that, as it was very important we were all unified on that front.”

For county personnel, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office added six new Sheriff’s Deputies. Perdue said they are really proud to be able to focus on public safety.

“[Public safety] is one of our primary missions that we want to deliver very well on as a local government,” he said. “I appreciate Sheriff Moulton’s leadership and what he has done to advance the Sheriff’s Office, and was pleased to be able to add those positions and lower the millage rate ever so slightly.”

Speaking of millage rates, the county raised its fire millage in 2025, ensuring that every Houston County fire station constantly has at least one person on duty. This only affects the taxpayers of the unincorporated areas of Houston County. Perdue said it was a big milestone moment for the Houston County Fire Department.

“I appreciate the taxpayers being willing to take on that burden so that we can deliver a higher level of fire service to them,” he said. “Really, all citizens in Houston County and especially the unincorporated areas, are benefiting from that increased fire service. For a $350,000 house, it’s about $70 a year you will be paying in fire millage, and I really feel like it’s worth it for the increase in coverage and decrease in response times that you’re getting.”

Perdue believes the biggest accomplishment of the county this past year would be the change in fire service.

Perdue also mentioned that this year has been quite different from last. He said the inflationary pressures of last year have seemed to have calmed down and the county has not had as many vertical construction projects other than the HEMA Warehouse.

He said the county is improving project delivery for its road projects. He mentioned the Elberta Road widening project is complete; however, it was a year behind.

Perdue also shared he’s out of his “honeymoon phase”, so to speak, as Chairman.

“I’m a little bit more down in the weeds in decisions and the day-to-day things than I was last year, which I’ve enjoyed,” he said. “There have been slight changes over the last year, nothing major or dramatic.”

Perdue pointed out that managing the growth of Houston County over the next five years is a big challenge they must face.

“We have to make smart decisions about growth that ensure existing citizens don’t bear the burden for growth that is taking place, but do get the benefits that go along with it,” he said.

Looking forward to 2026, and with the county opting into House Bill 581, there is an opportunity for the voters to vote on a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST). Perdue described that as a penny sales tax.

“It would take Houston County from 7% to 8% sales tax, and all those dollars would go to reduce the millage rate both in the county and in the cities, and we’re seeing significant savings if the voters approve that, for all property owners, not just homesteaded properties,” he said. “It would be a way that we continue to give relief to property owners in Houston County to reduce the burden on property taxes and to shift that burden elsewhere.”

Perdue said his New Year’s Resolution is to continue focus on his own personal goals by being more structured in his personal life, whether that be scripture reading, prayer, or working out.

“As far as the county goes, I want to continue to develop ways where we measure what we say we’re good at, and that was my drive for 2025, and that will continue to be my drive for 2026,” he said. “[We will] continue to find ways to measure and benchmark our efficiency and effectiveness and ensure that we’re delivering the services that we say we’re delivering at that high level to the citizens of Houston County.”

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