Cobb County commissioners vote 4-0 to opt out of state homestead exemption (HB 581)

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 Tuesday to adopt a resolution opting the county out of the statewide adjusted base-year ad valorem homestead exemption established by House Bill 581.

The vote followed a public hearing in which county staff and more than two dozen residents and stakeholders spoke for and against the state measure. Chairwoman Lisa Cupid (Chairwoman, Cobb County Board of Commissioners) framed the decision around the county's existing homestead float and the potential effects on the separate county fire fund.

ACCG representative Dante, joined by presenter Steven White (Association County Commissioners of Georgia), summarized HB 581 for commissioners. White told the board that HB 581 limits the annual increase in taxable value for homesteaded properties to the inflation rate as determined by the state revenue commissioner and ties that calculation to the Consumer Price Index. He said the law allows local governments to opt out and also creates a new local sales tax…