Henry County Commissioners: Who They Are and How They Impact Your Property Taxes

Henry County is served by a group of elected officials known as County Commissioners. These individuals play an important role in shaping decisions that impact our community, from budgeting to local policies and services.

I believe it’s important for residents to know who represents them and to understand how these roles connect to things like property taxes. This guide provides a simple overview of what County Commissioners do, along with a current list organized by district.

Image by Crove Media of the Paris, Tennessee Courthouse

What County Commissioners Do

County Commissioners are responsible for making decisions that affect the overall operation and direction of Henry County. This includes approving budgets, setting policies, and determining how county resources are allocated.

While my office is responsible for collecting and managing property taxes, the County Commission plays a key role in how those funds are used.

They help decide how tax dollars are distributed across the county, including:

• Schools

• Emergency services

• Road maintenance and infrastructure

• Community programs and local services

In addition to how funds are used, the County Commission is also responsible for setting the property tax rate each year. That rate, combined with your property’s assessed value, determines your total tax bill.

How This Relates to Your Property Taxes

If you’ve ever wondered why your property taxes increased, there are typically two factors involved: your property value and the tax rate. The Property Assessor determines your property value, but the County Commission sets the tax rate. That means even if your property value stays the same, a change in the tax rate can still impact what you owe.

Understanding this connection helps explain why the County Commission plays such an important role in the overall property tax system.

When You Might Want to Reach Out to a Commissioner

Most day-to-day property tax questions, like your balance or making a payment, should still come to our office.

However, there are times when reaching out to your County Commissioner makes sense, especially when your question is related to broader decisions rather than your individual account.

You may want to contact your commissioner if you:

• Have concerns about how tax dollars are being used

• Want to share input on the county budget

• Have questions about changes to the property tax rate

• Want to stay involved in local decision-making

Commissioners are elected to represent their districts, and they value hearing from residents in their community.

How District Representation Works

Henry County is divided into districts, and each district is represented by multiple commissioners. This structure helps ensure that different areas of the county have a voice in local decision-making.

If you have questions or concerns about community issues, your district’s commissioners are a valuable point of contact. They can bring attention to the needs of your area and represent those concerns during county discussions.

Understanding which district you are in can help you stay informed and connected to the decisions being made within your community.

Henry County Commissioners by District

District 1

David Flowers – dflowers99@hotmail.com
Melissa McElroy – mel_mcelroy@hotmail.com
Gatlin Primrose – gprimrose1855@gmail.com

District 2

Charles Elizonda – chiefeli12@gmail.com
Paul Neal – pnealfarm@gmail.com
Ralph Wiles – ralph@wilesdriveshaft.com

District 3

Missy Hamilton – mhamilton12@charter.net
Monte Starks – mwstarks@charter.net
Marty Visser – martyamandavisser@gmail.com

District 4

David Hayes – davidhayes33@hotmail.com
Jim Higgins – luv2youson@aol.com
Kenneth Humphreys – sylkenn@bellsouth.net

District 5

Patrick Burns – burns.patrick@gmail.com
Jay Travis – dbtravisjr@gmail.com
David Webb – webbdw@hotmail.com

Staying Connected Matters

Being informed about your local government is one of the best ways to stay engaged in your community. Property taxes are just one part of a much bigger system, and your County Commissioners help make decisions that affect how those funds are used and how the county continues to grow.

If you ever have questions about your property tax bill, our office is always here to help. And if your questions relate to broader county decisions, your commissioners are there to represent you.

As always, if you’re unsure where to start, you can reach out to our office and we’ll help point you in the right direction.