Dear Editor:

Homeowners in Thomas County need to know that the Cities of Ochlocknee, Pavo, and Barwick are planning to repeal a significant tax relief measure that was approved by 65% of Georgia voters in the November 5th general election. The “floating homestead exemption” went into effect January 1, 2025 for all local property taxing agencies in all 159 Georgia counties. The homestead exemption is currently set at $5,000 per home. The new law requires the Tax Assessor, as the taxable value of a home is increased, to increase the homestead exemption at the same rate. If one or more cities “opt-out” of the “floating homestead exemption two consequences will follow:

1. The homeowners in that city will be deprived of property tax relief enacted by the voters of Georgia. The assessed value of their homes will continue to rise with each annual reassessment.
2. The people of the Thomas County also will be denied the opportunity to vote on the enactment of the “floating local option sales tax” which would result in a 55% reduction in property taxes for the entire county.

Thomas County Commissioners have indicated they will leave the “floating homestead exemption” in place, however this would apply only to County property taxes and not City or School property taxes.

In order to repeal the floating homestead exemption, the City Council will have to follow this state mandated process:

• Advertise three public hearings
• Hold three public hearings
• Adopt a resolution repealing the floating homestead exemption before March 1, 2025.
• Submit the resolution to the State Revenue Commissioner before March 1, 2025.

Under current Georgia law, once repealed the floating homestead exemption cannot be reinstated, and that City’s homeowners would be denied this property tax relief granted by the voters of Georgia.

Contact your County Commissioner and/or Council Members with your questions or concerns.

-Michael Stephenson

County Manager