BARWICK — The Barwick City Council plans to hold a series of public hearings to consult their community on whether to opt out of the homestead exemption granted by HB 581.

Council members convened for a called meeting the evening of Jan. 14 to come to a decision on how to respond to the bill, and though they expressed a greater intent to opt out of its program, discussion and policy ultimately steered them toward taking a bit more time to make an official vote.

The bill in question, signed into law last year by Governor Brian Kemp, would apply a statewide homestead exemption that would limit the amount the taxable value of a home could increase, while also providing local governments with the ability to levy a sales tax for property relief.

Local governments not interested in the exemption would also be allowed to opt out and retain their normal tax values under the policies of the bill.

Council members expressed uncertainty over how the exemption would affect Barwick given that the town spanned two counties. Megan Hester, city clerk, reported that she had spoken to legal counsel of the Georgia Municipal Association on the matter, but had received just as unsure of an answer.

Post 3 council member Dale Hicks argued in support of opting out, noting that doing so would ensure Barwick retained their tax structure and fearing that the city would likely struggle without the revenue it would receive from opting out.

However, Gwen Waters, a resident of Pavo, contested that the exemptions would actually benefit the smaller towns of the state. She believed that, while those towns would still likely struggle, they would be better off were they to benefit from the revenue that could be generated under the tax cap or through the new sales tax provision.

Hester was doubtful of this, expressing concern regarding the uncertainty over the ripples the bill’s policies will have in five years and the urgency at which the bill is being pushed, given how much confusion still surrounds it.

While Hicks offered a motion to opt out, councilwoman Rosetta Herring noted that even if they were to decide to do so, the council would need to hold three public hearings before an actual vote could be taken.

Acknowledging this, Hicks proposed a second motion to instead hold the three hearings regardless, which was unanimously approved by the city council.

The first of the hearings is planned to be held the evening of Jan. 27, at the council’s regular meeting time. The final two will be held Feb. 18, the day of the council’s next meeting, at 1 and 6 p.m. Dates and time for these hearings are slated to be posted in the newspaper at least a week in advance.