County Discusses House Bill 581

Jasper County Commissioners convened in a work session Monday evening to discuss House Bill 581.

Georgia lawmakers approved a package of legislation that is intended to limit property tax increases. The bill would limit increases in a home’s value, as assessed for property tax purposes, to the rate of inflation each year. County and city governments, or local school boards can opt out of the bill prior to the March 1, 2025 deadline.

Chairman Bruce Henry called the meeting to order and noted that the county can opt out of the bill but personally he didn’t think anyone should. He said that 65 percent of the local voters approved it (by a vote on the November 2024 ballot), so give the voters what they want.

County Manager Mike Benton explained that governments have to opt out of the plan versus opt in, if one doesn’t opt out by the deadline then they are included.

Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley was present to help explain the matter better. She said the rollback will be less because seven percent of ten percent, as an example, will go to an exemption. The chief appraiser accounted for three percent inflation and noted that county revenues will not change, there will just be a tax shift.

Chairman Henry said opting in will keep taxes down, if you apply for the homestead exemption, and the one cent sales tax is approved.

Attorney Tom Watkins clarified that if an entity opts in it can’t opt out, unless the legislature does it.

There is a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) associated with not opting out, funds that the county would receive however the cities of Monticello and Shady Dale would have to not opt out as well. The FLOST funds would be split between the three entities and the funds will go to all property owner’s tax bills. Mrs. Bentley estimated that local FLOST funds could provide some $2 million per year.

Representatives from Monticello and Shady Dale were present. Commissioners asked if any of those representatives had any questions for the lawyer or chief appraiser.

Larry Champion of Shady Dale said he doesn’t see opting out if the voters voted for it and clarified that if all three governments don’t agree to opt in then no FLOST funds would be available.

City Council members Gail Harrell and Doug Currie noted that discussion of the bill would be on Tuesday’s (January 14) agenda. Mrs. Harrell said that she had spoken with at least three area governments that were considering opting out.

Mrs. Bentley said that some governments may opt out because they already have measures in place to freeze increases, such as Muscogee County.

Commissioners Steven Ledford and Asher Gray requested that work sessions be put into place so that all three entities could discuss the measure further once a decision is made.

The meeting adjourned with Commissioner Gray calling for an executive session. That session was for a discussion of real estate, according to the County Manager who said no action was taken.