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Ware County commissioners pause on backing homestead-exemption referendum for residents 75 and older
Summary
The commission discussed a governor’s-office request to support a house bill to place a November referendum allowing residents 75+ to claim an additional school-tax homestead exemption; commissioners raised concerns about an estimated $400,000 revenue impact and agreed to consult the school board before taking action.
Commission staff told the Ware County Commission at its April 13 work session that the governor’s office asked the county to send a letter or resolution supporting a house bill to put a referendum before voters that would allow homeowners age 75 and older to claim an additional homestead exemption for school taxes.
“This is asking the county commission either do a resolution or a letter or send an email back responding that they support this house bill,” said the staff member presenting the item. Staff said the ballot measure would let eligible property owners file for the exemption and that the change would apply only to school taxes, not other county levies.
Commissioners pressed for fiscal context. “What would the deficit be on it? I mean, how much is it going?” one commissioner asked; another estimated the county’s loss at about $400,000 to $409,000 if the exemption took effect.
Several commissioners said the county should not act unilaterally. “I think it would be good to kinda let that be a topic of discussion with the school board and not just jump out and do something,” one commissioner said, urging consultation with the Ware County school board before sending any formal support.
Staff said the bill’s next steps would depend on the governor’s action and that the county could either send a supportive letter, a neutral response or take no position; the presenter said he would seek direction after the commission met with the school board.
The commission did not approve the requested letter or resolution at the meeting and agreed to carry the item over for further discussion with the school district and to return the matter to a future agenda.
Next step: staff will place the item on a future agenda after the commission meets with the school board and provides further direction.
