Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little drew a challenger Wednesday, exactly one week after she announced her re-election bid.

Kenny Phelps, the development inspection manager for the Cherokee County Engineering Department, said that his 25-year career with the county has given him "the insight and inspiration to provide fiduciary oversight of the tax revenue collected by the county in the most efficient and effective manner possible."

If elected, Phelps said he would hold regular town-hall meetings, make himself available at both the Canton and Woodstock locations and educate residents about all of the exemptions available to them.

"The Tax Commissioner’s office, under my leadership, will operate with candor and transparency," he said in a statement. "I will be visible and available to discuss any issues."

Little, the incumbent, has been with the Cherokee County Tax Commissioner's Office since 1997. She was the chief deputy tax commissioner for 10 years when her predecessor, David Fields, quit one year ago this month due to health issues.

Fields told the Cherokee Tribune and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he had to foreclose on the homes of longtime friends, which took its toll on his health.

Little succeeded him. 

In her own statement, she touted her accomplishments:

• The tax and tag office has come in under budget 10 out the last 11 years.
• The tax commissioner's office has returned $850,000 during the last 10 years.
• And Saturday hours have been added at the tax and tag office.

"Efficiency is not just a keyword around the tag and property offices," Little said that Feb. 15 statement announcing her re-election bid. "It is a way of life."

The general primary election is scheduled for July 31, according to the Cherokee County Elections and Voter Registration website.