Gwinnett board adopts resolution to opt out of House Bill 581 homestead exemption cap

The Gwinnett County Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opting the district out of the statewide adjusted base-year ad valorem homestead exemption created by House Bill 581, the board decided after a third required public hearing and a staff presentation on the law’s fiscal effects.

Board members heard from district staff about the law and potential budget impacts and from more than a dozen members of the public before Miss Stone moved to adopt the resolution and Dr. Therese seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Board staff summarized House Bill 581 and the opt-out process. Dr. David Goli, the district’s legislative and educational policy administrator, told the board the final compromise bill capped the homestead exemption at the federal inflation rate and included an option for local governments and local school boards to opt out. The statute requires three public meetings, public advertising and a board resolution filed with the…