Marietta council opts out of statewide floating homestead exemption; asks staff to study expanding 1-acre senior exemption

The City of Marietta City Council voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution opting out of the statewide floating homestead exemption created by House Bill 581 and filed the decision for the city portion of tax bills.

City staff presented background on HB 581 and on Marietta—s existing floating base-year homestead exemption, and council members then moved to approve the opt-out resolution. The council also agreed unanimously to place a separate item on the March 6 agenda to consider whether to expand the city—s current one-acre senior homestead exemption.

Council members heard from Ms. Brown, a city staff member, who described HB 581—s purpose and how Marietta—s current local exemption differs. Brown said HB 581 was signed into law Aug. 4, 2024, and provides a statewide floating homestead exemption designed to limit year-over-year taxable value increases for homesteads to the rate of inflation. Under HB 581, homeowners— taxable values would grow only by the inflation factor each year rather than by full reassessment…