Columbia County will be holding three public hearings regarding House Bill 581 homestead exemption.
Commission Chair Doug Duncan said the county has not decided about whether to opt out or not, but the public hearings are required in case they want to opt out. The county will have to decide by March 1 regarding opting out.
“I think we have to analyze it make sure it is (the right step for the county) in a fast growing county we may be adding 5,000 residents a year, so we have to make sure we can provide the services required with how the money is compressed down based on the law,” Duncan said about what needs to be considered.
He stressed that no decision has been made, the vote on Tuesday was just to have the public hearings.
The public hearings will be held Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. All will be held in the auditorium at the Evans Government Center Complex. The commissioners will have to decide by March 1 whether to opt out of the exemption.
MORE: ‘A slap in the face’: District announces plan to opt out of homestead freeze
In other business
The commissioners approved appointments and reappointments for multiple boards. There was one correction to the library board with Pat Goodwin replacing Marti Jackson as the appointee.
The commissioners voted District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch as the vice chair for 2025.
Prior to the meeting, District 3 Commissioner Mike Carraway and District 2 Commissioner Trey Allen were both sworn in. Carraway joined the commission last year after winning a special election to fill the term for Gary Richardson, who was elected the District 125 representative. Allen filled the seat of Don Skinner, who did not seek re-election.
