An increase in homestead exemptions for Columbia County and Columbia County School District is looking more like a possibility.
Earlier this year, both the county and school board approved resolutions asking the local legislative delegation to create legislation that proposing increase the homestead exemptions for both the county and school district. House Bill 784 and House Bill 783 proposes to increase the homestead exemption for Columbia County residents from $2,000 to $10,000 for both.
“This measure reflects a strong commitment by the Columbia County Board of Education to balancing educational excellence with fiscal conservatism. The exemption will only take effect if approved by voters in a local referendum in November 2025. If passed, it would be applicable to all taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026. We encourage all residents to stay informed and participate in the upcoming vote,” the school district said in a statement.
Both bills passed the general assembly and were sent to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to sign, which he did on May 13.
The next steps are for both bills to go before the residents of Columbia County to vote on in November. If approved by voters, the bills would be effective Jan. 1, 2026 and would apply to next year’s property tax bills.
The requests for increases to the homestead exemptions come after both the Columbia County Board of Commissioners and Columbia County Board of Education both voted to opt out of House Bill 581 earlier this year following multiple public hearings.
