Steve Gailey on Community Focus with Mike Wofford – Glory 97.5 FM

Steve Gailey Goes Into a Range of Topics on Community Focus in Campaign for Hall County Commission District 3

Steve Gailey, candidate for Hall County Commission District 3, appeared on Community Focus to outline his vision for more responsive, fiscally responsible, and growth-conscious county government. Gailey, who previously served on the Commission from 2002–2010, emphasized that being a commissioner is a full-time job that demands direct communication with constituents—something he says is sorely lacking today.

Frustration with Current Leadership and District 3 Growth

Gailey expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the Commission is currently run overall. He thinks David Gibbs is doing a good job, but needs help. He pledged to be a hands-on commissioner who answers calls and emails personally and works directly with residents on issues in their district. He made clear he will not hesitate to publicly call out fellow commissioners who try to override decisions he has negotiated with developers or constituents in District 3, demanding they explain their reasoning in open meetings. He has done it before and he will do it again.

Growth and Development Concerns

A central theme of the interview was opposition to high-density residential growth. Gailey noted that Hall County once maintained a rural character with roughly two homes per football-field-sized lot (which is a good visual for an acre of land). Today, the Commission is approving 3.5 to 4 homes per acre in many areas—density he believes the county cannot sustain.

He pointed out that sewer capacity purchased during his earlier tenure was intended primarily for commercial growth, not the current wave of residential development. The south end of the county, he said, already feels like an extension of Gwinnett County. District 3 should remain more rural, with a maximum of two units per acre where sewer is available and one unit per acre on septic systems. There are several municipalities in his district that want, and need, to keep their small town identities. Towns like Lula, Gillsville, Clermont, Murrayville, and areas like Rabbittown and Qullian's Corner.

Gailey criticized the shift from local developers to out-of-town interests who maximize profit without building truly affordable housing and having the areas best interests as a priority. Rising land prices and taxes are forcing families to sell longtime farms, including many former dairy operations. He expressed deep concern about the lack of affordable housing and the impact of unchecked growth along corridors like U.S. 365.

Key proposals on growth:

• Immediate halt to high-density development—it should not even be allowed under the Unified Development Code (UDC).
• Simplify the overly complicated Unified Development Code (UDC) so average citizen can understand it.
• Review the more than 10,000 already-rezoned, and approved, parcels that remain undeveloped before approving new projects.
• Conduct a thorough analysis of the cumulative impact on schools. Additional development will require new high, middle, and elementary schools serving North and East Hall.
• Address skyrocketing rents (currently $1,800–$2,000 for a 3BR/2BA) and inflated prices for even double-wide manufactured homes. Double-Wide homes are even selling for $100,000 or more.

Budget, Taxes, and Fiscal Responsibility

Gailey called for a return to zero-based budgeting, where every department must justify its spending from scratch rather than automatically increasing previous budgets. He criticized current “fluff,” retreats closed to the public, and spending beyond actual revenue. Any surplus, he said, should be returned to homeowners as rebates. He vowed never to vote for a tax increase.

Courthouse and Government Facilities

Gailey strongly opposes purchasing land in downtown Gainesville for a new courthouse, noting it would remove 11 properties from the tax rolls and cost roughly $15 million to purchase those parcels. Instead, he supports building on the existing 35 acres at the government complex on Browns Bridge Road, where an expansion plan already exists. He called the recent relocation of the Sheriff’s Office a mistake and should have been built near the jail on Barber Road. Gailey warned that the budgeted $125 million will not cover the “Taj Mahal” facility some judges, county employees, and commissioners, desire and stressed the need to focus on necessities rather than wants.

Streamlining Government

Gailey believes county government can be leaner. He questioned the need for four county attorneys. Wonders what in the world they all do. Especially at current salary levels and noted that Hall County has only grown by about 50,000 people in the last 16 years. With County Administrator Zach Propes resigning, he recommends John Gentry continue in the role until after the election so the new Commission can participate in the hiring process. He would also consider replacing or eliminating the Planning Commission, arguing that two public hearings directly before the Board of Commissioners would remove an unnecessary layer and speed up transparent decision-making.

Leadership Style and Collaboration

While acknowledging that commissioners won’t always agree, Gailey stressed the importance of respecting each district’s unique needs. He pledged full transparency—no backroom deals—and committed to working cooperatively with colleagues like David Gibbs while remaining a strong advocate for District 3.

He also mentioned that developments and other issues brought before the commissioners were discussed between them in front of the public. That does not happen at hardly at all now and the public is left in the dark on how the decisions are made. That has to be rectified.

Steve Gailey’s message is clear: slow down runaway high-density growth, protect Hall County’s remaining rural character, restore fiscal discipline, and return local government to the people it serves.

*** Early Voting Starts on Monday, April 27th and runs thru May 15th. Please Get out and Vote.