Dear Editor,
I implore the Augusta mayor and commission and the Richmond County Board of Education not to kill our new homestead exemption.
The homestead exemption was approved by over 62% of Augusta voters (48,615 folks) on November 5, 2024.
However, the law gives the city and BoE the option to take away the homestead exemption with as few as six votes on each governing body in a gross display of voter nullification.
The exemption frees homeowners from the artificial tax increases resulting from annual increases in their property values.
There is no change in the governments’ authority to set a property tax rate and collect the proceeds.
The Chamber of Commerce, which advocates for tax breaks and incentives for business, opposes this tax break for the employees and customers of its members.
If this law is so bad, why did the Chamber and government not oppose it before the election?
Here’s the takeaway:
· The exemption preserves and promotes home ownership, the largest single industry in Richmond County.
· The exemption does not restrict the government’s ability to collect taxes or does it reduce the current level of income
· The exemption is another incentive for people to invest in Augusta through home ownership.
Sincerely,
Bob Young
Augusta
