GAINESVILLE - Hall County Tax Commissioner Keith Echols says it's time for him to retire, so he will not seek another term in office. He says a few health problems prompted his decision to step down.
"I just feel like its a good time to go ahead and retire at the end of this term," Echols said. "I'll be 64-years-old and it'll be a good time to retire."
Asked about his greatest achievement while he's been in office, Echols cited two things: enhancement of the satellite tax offices and creating a more efficient office, overall.
Echols has been the tax commissioner for almost 12 years.
But he says the hardest part of the job has come in the last few years during which, because of the recession, he has had to place liens on people's homes because they could not pay their taxes.
"And, that's...the most difficult thing. It's a very difficult situation to do that against people (who have) problems paying their taxes."
Echols becomes the second elected county official to announce plans to step down at the end of next year. Sheriff Steve Cronic said earlier this year he, too, will not seek re-election.
Thursday
June 26th, 2025
9:13AM
