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Meriwether County asks legislative delegation to pursue local homestead-option sales tax referendum
Summary
The county approved a resolution asking its legislative delegation to introduce local legislation to allow a voter referendum on a local homestead option sales tax (LHOST) under SB33/OCGA 48-8-109.52; staff said the LHOST did not pass the special session and the county will pursue options for a future ballot.
County staff presented a resolution requesting that Meriwether County's legislative delegation introduce and support local legislation authorizing a referendum for a local homestead-option sales tax (LHOST) under SB33 and OCGA 48-8-109.52. The measure would allow counties to place a sales-tax referendum on the ballot to provide property-tax relief for qualifying homestead owners, subject to state statutory requirements.
Staff noted SB33 adopted in the 2026 legislative session authorizes counties to seek voter approval for an LHOST, but the recent special-call session did not enact a county-specific enabling bill in time for this year's election. Commissioners approved the resolution asking the delegation to pursue the required local act (including a maximum 10-year term and other statutory requirements), and assigned members to work with administration and state legislators on next steps.
The board's action does not itself change tax rates; it asks the county's state legislators to introduce local legislation that would permit a referendum if and when the General Assembly enacts the enabling local act.
