Columbia County school board hears views on property tax law
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Two public hearings remain for the Columbia County Board of Education to opt out of the Homestead Exemption Act.
We spoke to district officials and people who live in the community.
On Monday morning, board met for the first time to discuss the district’s plan going forward.
And there are a lot of factors weighing in on both the homeowner and the school district, making this a difficult decision for everyone.
Yesun Wiltse has lived right off Washington Road in Columbia County since 2001.
“We moved here after he and I both retired from the army,” said Wiltse. “I retired in 2000 and I said, ‘I am done with working.’”
Rental companies prepare homes for Masters after Helene
The Masters is getting closer, but the time to rent out your house is now. After Hurricane Helene, homeowners across the CSRA are racing to finish up any repairs to their homes.
Like most retired homeowners, Wiltse is counting every dollar.
“Every time I go grocery shopping, I’m shocked,” said Wiltse.
And she isn’t the only one worrying about how far her dollar will stretch when it comes to property taxes.
“There’s nothing about people on fixed incomes having trouble staying in their house,” said someone who attended the meeting. “It’s hard enough to buy a house let alone stay in one.”
More than 60% of voters in the state in November said yes at the polls to opt into the homestead exemption.
“It provides us with stability and consistency,” said someone who attended the meeting.
But the bill allows local governments, cities and school boards to opt out.
Which is why the board of education says they’re weighing all options.
“We get about 60% of our revenue from the state of Georgia and then we get the other 40% from local taxes, mainly our millage rate,” said Steven Flynt, Columbia County superintendent. “And so that 40% is really what we’re talking about with this.”
Evans High staffer on leave over alleged ‘inappropriate relationship’ with ex-student
Evans High School s told parents on Monday they’d been notified of a report alleging an “inappropriate relationship” between an employee and a former student.
The chief financial officer for the school district says if Columbia County does not opt out, they’ll have to get the money some other way – like being forced to raise the millage rate, furlough or lay off teachers, or increase class sizes.
“It has a large impact on the school district, so we just want to make sure that everybody understands what that impact could be because this bill is going to be in place for 50 years, which is quite a long time,” said Flynt.
Homeowners like Wiltse want school and government leaders to consider long-term impacts for everyone and that requires every voice to be heard.
“We voted. this is what we want. we want you to honor our wishes,” said Wiltse.
The next meeting for the school board is Tuesday at 6 p.m.
The last two meetings will be on Wednesday and Thursday at 8 a.m.
If you can’t make it, the meetings are live streamed but they are not recorded.
Leaders are encouraging you to show up and voice any and all concerns.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
