Yesterday, Andy Allen took over the roll of sole commissioner of Chattooga County. Allen had no previous political experience but won over 60% of the vote in the GOP Primary in May 2024 and went unopposed in the General Election in November. During his campaign, he proposed ambitious plans to improve the county’s infrastructure, public services, and taxation fairness.

Allen says he aims to enhance the efficiency of the Chattooga County Public Works and Water Department. He also plans to divide the county into zones to address non-emergency jobs more effectively and create an online system for residents to report issues and receive updates.

Allen also intends to focus on property taxation by collaborating with the Board of Assessors to ensure a fair process for both residential and commercial property owners. He will develop an email policy for appeals to boost transparency and implement performance reviews for assessors to uphold the integrity of the county’s digest. Public safety is another priority, and he is looking to secure funding for the county’s fire departments and Sheriff’s Department through a grant writer. Allen says he has plans to work with the Sheriff and the Superior Court Judge to explore cost-effective solutions for housing inmates, including low-interest loans and grants.

Budget management will be crucial, with Allen promising to hold public meetings for input on budget revisions and to provide quarterly reports on departmental budgets for transparency. Allen emphasized his determination to make significant changes within Chattooga County saying, “I am dedicated to starting work on day one to make Chattooga County a better place. As your commissioner, I will proudly represent our community”.