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Ware County holds final public hearing before possible opt-out of House Bill 581 homestead provision
Summary
Residents and county officials said Ware County’s existing local homestead “freezes” are more favorable than the statewide option in House Bill 581, and staff recommended opting out to avoid extra assessor workload; no formal opt-out vote was taken at the hearing.
The Ware County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on Feb. 13, 2025, to explain and take comment on whether the county should opt out of House Bill 581, the statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption. Chairman Elmer Thrift presided over the meeting at the Ware County Commission Chambers in Waycross.
County Manager James Shubert told residents the hearing was the third required public meeting before the board may vote on an opt-out and said staff recommends opting out because Ware’s existing local homestead freezes are generally more favorable and because complying with HB 581 would create an additional adjusted base-year tax roll and extra record-keeping. "By…
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