The bill, which changed several times during the last legislative session and didn’t pass, would require county governments and school systems to finance an $8,000 increase in the state homestead exemption over several years. The bill may come up again in January when the General Assembly goes back into session.
Voters would have to approve the bill in a referendum.
“In the event it did get on the ballot and the people voted in favor of it, they’ve assured themselves of a tax increase” because the county would have to replace the lost revenue, Commissioner Ken Smith said.
Commission Chairman Ricky Wolfe, who called the proposed exemption “irresponsible,” said it would be the largest unfunded mandate in Georgia history.
“All counties and school systems would likely have an increase in the millage rate rather than hold firm like we have for the last six years” at 10.56, said County Manager Mike Dobbs.
The state receives 0.25 mill of the county’s tax collections.
“Why not put that quarter-mill on the ballot?” Smith said. “Let that go on the ballot and see if the people want them to keep that quarter-mill.”
Commissioner Buck Davis suggested sending a letter to state legislators in opposition to House Bill 483.
“You’d have to have somebody read it to them,” Smith said.
Dobbs said: “Naturally people are going to vote for an exemption of any type, but who knows better than the counties what they can afford without raising the millage rate?”
“I don’t think the legislature realizes what effect this would have on counties,” added Commissioner Rich-ard English, noting that cities would be exempt from having to provide the exemption.
Beth Brown, communications director for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, said it opposes any increase in the $2,000 state homestead exemption.
“We believe that any additional homestead exemptions should be determined by local officials with considerations taken into account for their local tax digests and the needs in their community, and voted on by local citizens,” Brown said.
She said many local jurisdictions already have additional exemptions in place, while other counties, such as Troup, are considering them, but they’re “waiting to see what might happen with legislation such as this that would impact their county revenues in a way in which they have no control.”
In other business Tuesday, the commission agreed to participate in an inmate medical savings program administered through Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. Sixty-four of the state’s 159 counties already have signed up for the program.
Troup County hopes to reduce the almost $1.03 million it spent last year on medical care for inmates at the County Jail and Correctional Institute. The figure doesn’t include in-house treatment provided by the county.
Dobbs said the medical savings program gives in-mates the same discount as county employees.
“I don’t see any downside or any risk associated with this,” Wolfe said.
Also Tuesday, Wolfe awarded a proclamation to LaGrange attorney James G. Baker in honor of him being named to GeorgiaTrend magazine’s “40 Under 40” list of outstanding young people in this state. Baker serves as municipal court judge in LaGrange and Hogansville.
Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.
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