Savannah holds public hearing on state homestead exemption; resident urges keeping current local exemption

The Savannah City Council opened a public hearing Thursday on whether the city should opt out of the state's newly enacted homestead exemption under Official Code of Georgia §48-5-44.2.

Mayor Van R. Johnson II said Savannah has offered a local homestead exemption since 1999 and that the city's current policy "is the gold standard." He told the public the General Assembly was still considering changes and that city staff recommended hearings while council evaluates next steps. The council scheduled additional hearings at 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in accordance with law.

Keyshawn Houssey, a District 6 resident, told the council he supported keeping Savannah's existing local exemption, saying his mother benefited from the current program and that continuing it was in residents' best interests. "I think keeping it is the best case scenario for Savannah residents," Houssey said during the two-minute public comment period.

Council members and staff emphasized the state-level bill has seen ongoing revisions and that the city can opt out now and later opt back in if needed. No final vote to opt out or opt in was taken during the hearing; the council said it would continue receiving public input at the later hearings.

The hearing was declared closed after public comments and the council proceeded with other agenda items.