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Barrow County Board votes to continue opting out of House Bills 581 and 92
Summary
The board approved a resolution to continue opting out of House Bill 581 (floating homestead exemption) and HB 92 by a 6–3 vote after staff reported required hearings and the district’s previous millage rollback to 15.193 mills.
Miss Houston presented a resolution asking the board to continue opting the district out of House Bill 581 (a statewide floating homestead exemption) consistent with House Bill 92. Houston explained that HB 581 limits the annual increase in property tax assessments on homesteaded property to the prior year’s rate of inflation and that, paired with other exemptions, it could produce a significant revenue loss for local governments and school systems.
She summarized the district’s rationale: to preserve local control over taxation and to use the millage rate as the primary tool for providing tax relief when appropriate. Houston reminded the board that earlier in the year the board had rolled back the millage rate to 15.193 mills. She also said the district had held the three public hearings required under HB 92 and therefore recommended the board approve execution of the attached resolution to continue opting out.
A motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded; after discussion the board voted to approve the resolution by a 6–3 tally. The approval continues the district’s opt-out and authorizes execution of the resolution.
The board’s action was procedural and tied to state law options; no additional local tax change was taken at the meeting beyond the opt-out resolution itself.
