CSRA’s smaller counties facing challenges with homestead exemptions
LINCOLNTON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The clock is ticking for local governments to make a decision on the Homestead Exemption Act.
By March 1, each district must decide whether they’re opting in, or out.
Our smaller counties are worried about the long-term implications either way.
We took a deeper look into the challenges smaller counties like Jefferson County face.
Roads, fire departments, law enforcement and schools are some of the things officials are keeping in mind when deciding the future of homestead property taxes.
“They voted for this strongly for this to , and so we’re committed to making it work and doing whatever it takes to make it work,” said Mitchell McGraw, Jefferson County council chairman.
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McGraw, says it’s a fine balance of doing what almost 60% of what the county voted for versus making sure there is enough money for vital services.
“Our salaries, our health insurance, our employee’s fuel, just everything continues to go up just like it does at your home,” said McGraw.
Despite those concerns, counties like Jefferson, McDuffie and Lincoln are deciding to opt in.
Georgia Senator Max Burns says the intent was always to provide ease to property taxes – but he understands the choice is not so clear cut for many communities 50 year future.
“They’re concerned,” said Burns. “They recognize that this is a kind of an unknown area. I think we need to provide a little bit more flexibility to our counties and our cities and our school boards because they’re having to come to a decision in a couple of months.”
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Meanwhile, McGraw says they’re going to make it work, but they have to be careful about doing it.
“We’re hoping that people will spend more money on the by here,” said McGraw. “Maybe come into our towns in the county and spend more money. Hopefully, the tax revenue will take care of that money that we will lose.”
We also checked in with Burke County about their decision.
Like some other counties, they’re still in the process of discussion with its public hearings.
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