Augusta city leaders opt out of floating homestead exemption
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Augusta Commission decided Tuesday to opt out of the state’s new homestead exemption property tax cap.
The matter was on the agenda Tuesday for the commission, and commissioners voted 8-2 to opt out, with Alvin Mason out of the meeting and Commissioners Jordan Johnson and Tony Lewis voting no. Everyone else voted yes.
First, commissioners listened to a presentation by City Tameka Allen on the consequences of opting out of the cap as well as the alternatives to replace the lost funding.
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On Monday, business owners got an update on the $42 million project happening on Broad Street.
City leaders were also told that if they opt out of the floating homestead exemption, they could still create a local floating exemption, perhaps applying to senior and low-income households.
And they voted to opt out with the understanding that they would do something like that.
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The new state law ed by voters caps property tax increases for people with the homestead exemption. This “floating” homestead means some adjustments for local governments, which rely on those property tax revenues. As a result, governments can opt out of the cap – but only if they do so by March 1 and after holding at least three public input sessions.
With all three input sessions done, leaders decided Tuesday to opt out.
The Richmond County Board of Education also voted to opt out. However, some other local jurisdictions are cutting it close, since they need to decide by Saturday.
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Local governments are still considering whether to opt in or out of the controversial homestead exemption in Georgia.
Also Tuesday, commissioners approved acceptance of an $85,930 van for the paratransit service, funded with federal money. City leaders were told the vehicle would cost them nothing.
The decision after city officials acknowledged problems with the paratransit program that provides transportation for disabled residents.
City leaders learned Tuesday that two other vehicles are being processed to add to the fleet, in addition to the one being bought with federal funds.
And leaders were told there is discussion of bringing more personnel on board to meet the demand
The city transit director said if anyone has a problem with the paratransit service, they should call 311.
Other actions
Meeting at the committee level, commissioners also:
- Moved to approve the purchase of two utility carts, at a total cost of $26,986 from Mr. Golf Carts for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
- Moved to approve the Augusta Regional Airport’s establishment of a senior executive service position to fulfill the role of deputy executive director for the Augusta Regional Airport. The position was approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on Oct. 31.
- Approved a change order of $81,503 to a purchase order to cover the costs of the installation of a manual transfer switch for a portable power generator at the E911 Emergency Services Department by Georgia Power.
- Moved to approve utilizing a state contract for the purchase of one Chevrolet Tahoe at a total cost of $62,821 from Hardy Chevrolet for the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office.
- Moved to approve the purchase of two aerial trucks and a pumper with funding from the Augusta Fire Department fund balance using the League of Oregon Cities and the NPPGov Cooperative Contract.
- Moved to approve the lease of old Fire Station 19, located on Sand Bar Ferry Road, to the East Augusta Brotherhood Association.
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