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Santa Claus misses HB 581 homestead-exemption opt-out deadline; must wait until 2026
Summary
Mayor Donita Bowen told the council on May 20 that the city missed the deadline to opt out under HB 581 and therefore cannot opt out until 2026; council received no immediate motion or vote on the matter.
Mayor Donita Bowen told the Santa Claus City Council at its May 20, 2025, meeting that the city had not met the deadline to opt out under House Bill 581, and as a result the city must wait until 2026 to pursue any opt-out under that statute.
The council did not take a vote on HB 581 at the meeting; the mayor presented the notice as an informational item. The transcript does not specify the practical consequences of the missed deadline for local taxpayers or the exact opt-out mechanism; those details were not provided during the meeting.
No formal action was recorded on HB 581 at the May 20 session. The council continued with other agenda items after the announcement.
