The Clarke County School District and Oconee County Schools Boards of Education have signaled that they will opt out of an adjusted property tax homestead exemption that Georgia voters helped pass in a ballot referendum last year.
In November, voters in Georgia approved a referendum allowing the state legislature to pass House Bill 581. The law caps increases of assessed homesteaded property values.
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Now, Athens-area schools are planning to opt out of the law’s effects. In a January 3rdrelease, the Clarke County School District said that HB 581 will “negatively impact local schools by significantly limiting the funding that school districts receive for their operations.” The school district is funded in part by property taxes.
CCSD and Oconee County Schools noted in their press releases that the decision to opt out of HB 581 would not affect existing homestead exemptions in the counties.
Both Oconee County Schools and Clarke County School District will hold three required public hearings before voting on the matter. Residents of Clarke County can attend the meetings on January 14th, 21st, and 28th at 6 pm at 595 Prince Avenue in Athens.
Oconee County’s public meetings will be held on January 23rd and January 28th at 6 pm, and February 3rd at 4 pm at 71 N Main St in Watkinsville.
The CCSD BOE will vote on the resolution on February 13th at 7 pm.
This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with WUGA News
