Clayton County votes to opt out of HB 581, approves local homestead exemption measure; $15,000 increase proposal tabled to March 4

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 20 to opt the county out of House Bill 581 and approved a local act asking the county’s legislative delegation to seek an adjusted base-year ad valorem homestead exemption for disabled veterans, remarried surviving spouses of peace officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty, 100% disabled residents and homeowners age 65 and older. A separate motion to seek an increase in the county’s general homestead exemption from $10,000 to $15,000 was introduced and tabled to the board’s March 4 meeting for further study.

The opt-out measure, Resolution 2025-36, was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. County legal counsel explained that the resolution authorizes the county to opt out of HB 581, to execute documents and take necessary actions to implement the opt-out. The board then approved Resolution 2025-37, asking the chair to present a local act to the Georgia General Assembly that would establish an adjusted base-year homestead exemption limited to the groups listed above. Commissioners then debated a separate motion to ask the delegation for a countywide increase of the standard homestead exemption from $10,000 to $15,000; that motion was seconded and the board voted to table it to March 4 so staff and finance can analyze fiscal impacts.

Why it matters: the measures affect how property tax assessments will flow…