The Coweta County Board of Education will hold three public hearings in January which allow the board to consider opting out of the statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption for the Coweta County School System.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this matter to be held at the Board of Education Office, 167 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, Georgia, on January 14, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., on January 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., and January 28, 2025 at 6:30 p.m..
In 2024, the Georgia General Assembly passed, and Governor Kemp signed, HB 581 (O.C.G.A. 48-5-44.2) which impacts property taxes for cities, counties, and school districts. The bill creates a statewide floating homestead exemption which has a direct impact on school districts as an inflation cap on property tax assessments. The bill required a constitutional amendment (HR 1022) which passed with public approval on November 5, 2024.
The constitutional amendment approved by voters allows any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system a single opportunity to opt out of the exemption by March 1, 2025, upon the completion of certain procedures, including the holding of three public hearings.
The public hearings and the board’s approval of this option will not impact the school system’s current millage rate of 15.41 mills, approved in August of 2024, and will not have an impact on the status of other local governments. Completion of these hearings and other requirements would allow the Board of Education to consider opting out of HR 1022, and maintain the Coweta County Board of Education’s current and historical local governance authority.
Additional information:
Coweta County School System Presentation Regarding Amendment 1/HB 581 (YouTube Video)
Coweta County School System Financial History and Information
2024 Tax Digest History
2024 Property Tax (Millage Rate) Press Release
Public Advertisement for Intent to Opt Out of Homestead Exemption (January 4, 2025)
