Wheeler Commission Sets Qualifying Fees for Upcoming Local Elections
In a called meeting on January 12, the Wheeler County Commission set qualifying fees for a number of county offices which are up for election in 2024.
Qualifying for the May 21 General Primary/ Nonpartisan Election will be held March 4-8 at the Wheeler County Board of Elections. Qualifying fees for seeking election to local offices are determined by calculating 3% of each office’s base salary or based on what the county paid the officials in 2023. Offices up for election and qualifying fees follow.
Wheeler County Commission: District 1 seat, currently held by Rochelle Culver; District 2 seat, currently held by Danny Clark; and District 3 seat, currently held by Keith McNeal. Terms are for four years and the qualifying fee for these offices is $192.
Wheeler County Board of Education: District 3 seat, currently held by Bill Ford; and District 4 seat currently held by Tucker Dixon. There are six district seats on the Board of Education and one at-large post. Elections for these posts are rotated every two years. Terms for these nonpartisan posts are for six years and the qualifying fee is $42.
Wheeler County Sheriff: a post currently held by Randy Rigdon. The term for this constitutional office is for four years, and the qualifying fee is $1,678.58.
Wheeler County Coroner: a nonpartisan post currently held by Ted Mercer. This term is for four years and the qualifying fee is $387.16.
Wheeler County Tax Commissioner: a post currently held by Kim Clark. The term for this position is four years and the qualifying fee is $1,465.70.
Wheeler County Pro bate Judge/Magistrate: a nonpartisan post currently held by Jolinda Harrelson. The term for this post is four years and the qualifying fee is $1,465.00.
Wheeler County Su perior Court Clerk: a post currently held by Carol Bragg. The term for this seat is four years, and the qualifying fee is $1,465.70.
Regular Session on January 2 The Commission held its first meeting of the new year on January 2 and made the following appointments: Inez Kent to the Wheeler County Board of Elections and Bill Ford to the Board of Health.
The Commission also approved spending $6,250 as its share for the county’s state-mandated, five-year comprehensive plan. The total cost of preparing the plan, which is to be handled by the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission, is $25,000. This cost will be shared by the County and its two municipalities, Glenwood and Alamo. The county will contribute $12,500 and the two cities will each contribute $6,250.
Going into 2024, the County officers remain unchanged. Keith McNeal will continue to serve as chair and Rochelle Culver will serve as vice-chair. No changes were made regarding the County Attorney. Perry Avery will continue in this role.
The next County Commission session is scheduled for February 5 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioner’s meeting room at the Municipal Center in Alamo.
