THOMASVILLE- The Thomas County Board of Commissioners authorized a “Flexible Local Option Sales Tax” (FLOST) referendum for March 18th during Tuesday morning’s County Commission meeting. Revenues from the additional penny sales tax will be restricted for the reduction of property taxes. The reduction of property tax is required by Georgia law as approved by 65% of voters by referendum in the November 5th general election. Last week, a FLOST intergovernmental agreement (IGA), reinforcing the property tax reduction, was approved by Thomas County and the six municipalities of Barwick, Boston, Coolidge, Meigs, Ochlocknee, and Pavo.

Earlier this month, the Cities of Barwick and Pavo canceled their ‘opting-out” public hearings, thereby leaving the “floating homestead exemption” in place. There are three outcomes as result of these corresponding actions by County and City governments:

• All Thomas County homeowners with homestead exemption will receive the property tax relief approved by Georgia voters on November 5th.
• Thomas County remains qualified to consider an additional 1 cent in sales tax that is restricted for the sole purpose of reducing taxes for all property owners.
• Thomas County voters now will be able to decide if they want an additional 1 cent of sales tax to be used solely for reducing taxes for all property owners.

If voter approved, the FLOST would go into effect on July 1, 2025. Georgia law mandates all funds from the FLOST shall be used to reduce property tax for all properties in Thomas County. The additional penny in sales tax would generate about $10.5 million per year and would be distributed to Thomas County and the six municipalities participating, based on each entities pro-rata share of the total county-wide property tax levy (excluding the two school systems’ property taxes). It is estimated the total property tax levied by the participating local governments will be reduced 56%.

If voter approved by referendum, the critical dates for the FLOST implementation are as follows:

• FLOST collections begin in all of Thomas County on July 1, 2025.
• In August 2026 property tax millage rates will be set. FLOST revenues collected in 2025 will be rolled back on the 2026 property taxes, resulting in about a 28% reduction in property taxes.
• In August 2027 property tax millage rates will be set. FLOST revenues collected in 2026 will be rolled back on the 2027 property taxes, resulting in about a 56% reduction in property taxes.
• The FLOST runs for 20 calendar quarters, ending on June 30, 2030.
• Renewal by referendum, of the FLOST for an additional 5 years, will require local legislation approval of the Georgia General Assembly and in referendum by Thomas County voters.

The FLOST was authorized for Cities and Counties in the November 5, 2024 referendum, with approval by 65% of Georgia voters.