Though no determination has been made about pulling Gilmer County out of HB581, commissioners have agreed to schedule the three public hearings outlined in the process.
“We need to have those and get people’s input,” said Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris.
HB581 is based off of Amendment 1 which passed in the state and in Gilmer County in November. The basis of the bill would be to freeze property values for homeowners and only allow assessments to increase based on the inflation rate.
At the commissioner’s work session Dec. 11, Gilmer County Chief Appraiser Theresa Gooch said the county already has a homestead freeze in place which was enacted in 2008.
“So, the taxpayers will continue, that have been signing up and have been signed up, will continue to receive that benefit even if you guys do opt out,” she said. “It is important for the citizens to know that you do have something currently in place.”
She said the state exemption would not outweigh the county’s exemption. In addition, she said the state freeze would begin with current values.
The state bill would not apply to the county bond millage, but the county’s exemption does.
Gooch pointed out there are still a lot of unknowns with HB581.
A county which does not opt out of the state bill can enact a one cent sales tax which must be approved by the voters. For the sales tax to be a possibility, neither the county nor the cities can opt out.
Paris said it is highly unlikely the county would approve the sales tax based on the local TSPLOST which failed in the last election.
If the county, cities and school board do not opt out before February, there is no other provision to withdraw from the legislation in the future. This means any changes or additions to the legislation would apply to local governments without recourse.
“Once you’re in, you’re in,” Paris said. “There is no out at that point. It’s like Hotel California, you can enter, but you can never leave.”
People who voted in favor of the measure will be angry if the county opts out, he said.
“There is no way around that,” Paris said.
Nothing prevents the county from syncing up to the state exemption if commissioners choose to in the future. Paris said this would be an option if the county exemption turns out to be less than what is proposed by the state.
“We stay in control of our own future that way,” he said.
Commissioners plan to request a meeting with the city councils of Ellijay and East Ellijay and Gilmer County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley to discuss the issue.
Other business
In other business, commissioners:
﹣ voted to rename the Lower Cartecay bridge the Burley Stover Memorial Bridge.
﹣ passed the final reading of the amended land use ordinance. A delay until March on the provision for the subdivision of property was added.
﹣ honored Post Commissioner Hubert Parker at his final regularly scheduled meeting. Parker did not seek re-election.