A survey into governmental mergers proposed by the Hall County Commission in August was rejected by county voters by a slim margin in Tuesday's general election.
The special advisory referendum lost by a 52 percent to 48 percent margin. It was a "last-minute" addition to the ballot by Commission Vice Chairman Scott Gibbs and he said he was encouraged by the amount of support for the study, taking into account how late it was presented to the voters.
"For it to have been just a random question put on (the ballot) asking voters for their opinion, I am thrilled with the outcome of the 48 percent," Gibbs said. "We didn't spend any money lobbying one way or the other."
Gibbs said the lack of time meant many voters were likely unaware of what the referendum entailed.
"We weren't able to really get out to the citizens what we were trying to do," Gibbs said. "I had several people call me and tell me that the ballot question was, maybe, confusing."
Gibbs said he hopes to run the question by county voters again in the near future.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/11/467574/draft-hall-county-consolidation-ref-yay-or-nay