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Clayton County hearing reviews HB 581 homestead cap and potential revenue losses if district does not opt out
Summary
At a Jan. 27 public hearing, Clayton County Public Schools staff and the county tax commissioner outlined how HB 581 would cap annual taxable-growth on homesteads at the rate of inflation and described multi-million-dollar revenue losses the district could face unless the board adopts an opt-out resolution following required hearings.
Clayton County Public Schools officials and the county tax commissioner briefed residents on HB 581 and the district's options during a public hearing Jan. 27, 2025, that included a short presentation from Chief Financial Officer Ramona Bivens and comments from Tax Commissioner Danielle Smith and community members.
Bivens told the Clayton County Board of Education that HB 581 would limit increases in the taxable value of homestead property to the annual rate of inflation set by the state, and that the law would apply only to homestead property. "The bill, though, the legislation provided a provision for governments to opt out. It's a one time opportunity to opt out," she said, describing the procedural requirements the law sets for any local opt-out decision.
The hearing underscored the district's fiscal exposure under the bill if it does not opt out. Bivens presented district revenue and digest history and said state funding through the Quality Basic Education (QBE) program…
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