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Commissioners direct election call tied to House Bill 439 as step toward rollback rate
Summary
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 26‑15 directing the board of elections to place a mechanism tied to House Bill 439 before voters; commissioners said the move is one step in a multi‑part effort to reduce homestead property taxes and pursue a rollback millage rate.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted to approve Resolution 26‑15 on July 7, directing the board of elections to put before voters a mechanism tied to House Bill 439 that commissioners described as part of a multi‑step plan to return homestead property tax money to homeowners and pursue the rollback millage rate.
Commissioner 12 moved to approve the resolution and Commissioner 3 seconded. Commissioner 11 and others explained that the resolution authorizes the board of elections to allow citizens to vote on measures linked to House Bill 439; staff described the measure as capped at $18,000 and as one component of an overall strategy the board has pursued—alongside exemptions and millage reductions—to lower homeowners’ property tax burdens.
Supporters said the step is intended to offset recent assessment increases by lowering the millage rate to the rollback rate, which is calculated to produce a net‑even tax burden despite rising assessments. Commissioners noted this is one of several actions the board is pursuing, including promoting a possible constitutional amendment; they emphasized the proposal’s statutory basis as discussed at the meeting.
No formal opposition was recorded during the debate and the motion carried.
