Fees Set, Qualifying Begins in May

While qualifying for county seats up for grabs in the 2012 election is still months away, Commissioner Clarence Brown set the prices for formal declarations of candidacy.

In addition to other actions during his first meeting of the year, as reported by , Brown approved a resolution setting qualifying fees for the primary and general elections as follows:

Commissioner: $2,250

While current and longtime Bartow County Building Inspector into the ring, two more have announced runs for the county's top post—.

As announces it's hosting a series of debates between candidates for commissioner, the , there's talk of a fourth opponent hoping to follow the current, .

Sheriff: $2,425

Incumbent Sheriff Clark Millsap has at least one challenger in current Police Chief Dan Knowles, who in Bartow.

Millsap has previously said he would fill the office as long as voters allow.

Board of Education: $36

Following the to pursue a career move into the system, Bartow's school board will appoint a District 5 representative to fill his post in 2012. But the seat is up for grabs in November.

To date, no candidates have announced plans to seek the post and the board has yet to name Parker's replacement.

Also up for grabs is the seat currently held by District 4 representative Wanda Cagle Gray. It's unclear if she will seek re-election or face challengers.

Tax Commissioner: $2,173

Retiring Tax Commissioner this year, and to date, no candidates have stepped up to fill the seat.

Clerk of Superior Court: $2,173

Current Superior Court Clerk Gary Bell ran unopposed four years ago, and neither he nor anyone else have announced 2012 bids for the post.

District Attorney: $3,330.69 (2008 fee set by the Secretary of State)

With current District Attorney Joe Campbell set to retire, into the ring. So far, she is the only to do so.

Fees to qualify for other posts are:

• Coroner: $524
• Magistrate Judge: $2,173
• Probate Judge: $2,173
• Surveyor: $35

Candidates have less than three days to make their runs official, as qualifying starts May 23 at 9 a.m. and ends May 25 at noon.

A presidential preference primary is set for March 6, and the primary election is scheduled for July 31 and general election for Nov. 6.