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Newton County approves $6,920.71 ad valorem tax refund to Wesley Methodist Church; commissioner abstains
Summary
The board approved a $6,920.71 refund of 2025 ad valorem taxes to Wesley Methodist Church of Covington after staff determined the property qualified as a place of worship under Georgia law; Commissioner Miller abstained because the church is his congregation.
The Newton County Board of Commissioners approved a refund of $6,920.71 to Wesley Methodist Church of Covington after county attorneys concluded the property acquired at the end of 2024 meets Georgia’s ad valorem exemption for property used exclusively for religious worship.
County Attorney Daphne Johnson explained the legal basis: under Georgia law, property used exclusively as a place of worship is exempt from ad valorem taxes; Wesley Methodist Church acquired the property late in 2024 but paid 2025 county taxes and requested a refund. Staff recommended granting the refund and the board approved the request.
Commissioner Miller said he needed to explain his abstention and noted the church is his place of worship; he therefore did not vote on the refund. The action was otherwise approved by the board.
