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Savannah holds public hearing on state homestead-exemption opt-out as council signals intent to keep local benefit
Summary
Council opened a public hearing on whether to opt out of the state’s new homestead exemption law; residents urged keeping Savannah’s existing local exemption and officials said staff will hold two additional hearings later the same day.
Savannah City Council opened a public hearing Thursday on whether the city should opt out of a recently enacted, statewide homestead-exemption law and preserve the city’s existing local exemption.
Mayor Van R. Johnson II said the state legislation has continued to change since passage and described the council’s action as a required step to consider whether to opt out. He told attendees the city would hold two further hearings later the same day, at 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., to comply with state law.
Resident Keyshawn Houssey spoke during the hearing and said his family has benefited from Savannah’s current exemption. Houssey urged the council to preserve the local program, noting uncertainty about how the state law may be ultimately interpreted. "I will say, even to all the flaws Savannah has, this is 1 thing Savannah has gotten right," he said.
Council members framed the discussion as responsive to ongoing changes at the state Capitol. The mayor noted that because the state referendum had to be statewide, local governments must decide whether to opt out, and that the city’s longstanding exemption — in place since 1999 — has been the "gold standard," according to council remarks.
No final vote on opting out was recorded during the session. Council members said the public hearings scheduled later that day and subsequent meetings will provide additional public input and allow staff and council to respond to changes at the General Assembly.
Councilors also stated on the record that they expect to pursue an opt-out consistent with preserving the existing relief for local homeowners; one council member said a speaker’s public comment aligned with the council’s intent. City staff cautioned that the state law remains subject to revisions in Atlanta and that decisions could be adjusted later if needed.
The council closed the hearing after the scheduled comments and said it would reopen the record for the two additional hearings to be held that day.
