Augusta leaders seek a local floating homestead exemption
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - On Tuesday, Augusta leaders decided to seek their own local floating homestead property tax exemption.
The decision came after a public information session at the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building on Telfair Street.
Augusta Commission last month decided to opt out of the state’s new floating exemption. But the understanding was that leaders would look at implementing their own floating exemption.
A floating exemption caps the amount of tax increases, often tied to some economic gauge.
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On Tuesday, commission decided to seek a flat inflationary cap of 3.5%.
The plan will have to be approved by the Georgia General Assembly, then will have to go before voters as a referendum.
It would allow for the possibility of a sales tax to make up for funds lost by the exemption, but no matter what, it wouldn’t change overall tax revenue for Augusta but shift portion of tax burden to non-homesteads.
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It was among several options presented Tuesday by City Tameka Allen and Chief Appraiser Scott Rountree.
of the public were told the purpose of an additional homestead exemption would be to provide tax relief and predictability to homeowners by limiting annual tax increases. It would be a cap of increases and would be in addition to and not in place of existing homestead exemptions.
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The information session was followed by a regular meeting of the Augusta Commission.
Items approved on the consent agenda included:
- A motion to approve the memorandum of agreement between Augusta and the city of Blythe regarding removal and disposal of Hurricane Helene debris.
- Adoption of an updated funding timeline for Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority debt service.
- A motion to approve appointing Commissioner Stacy Pulliam as an ex-officio member of the Commission to the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- A motion to approve the reappointment of Henry Middleton to the Richmond County Board of Assessors.
- A motion to consider the recommendation of the Richmond County Board of Health to appoint Mary Ann Moores to the vacant member-at-large seat formerly held by Antonia Autry.
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