The Columbia County School District (CCSD) continued discussions around House Bill 581 with a second of three public hearings, all of which are required before the district can decide whether to opt out of the bill.
This bill provides relief and clarity to taxpayers by offering a statewide floating homestead exemption, an optional sales tax to further offset property taxes and property tax process reforms.
The homestead exemption changes the way homestead properties are reassessed for taxable purposes each year. It caps the percentage a home can be reassessed each year by a rate established by the state revenue commissioner.
Local governments, including boards of education, have one opportunity to opt out by holding three public hearings, advertising their intent to opt out and passing a resolution by March 1.
A second chance to speak out
Unlike during Monday’s meeting, more people came out during the second public hearing to express their support of the district opting out of the bill; however, even those who directly voted against the bill shared that they weren’t without concern.
Mitzi Pullum voted against the bill in November, hoping to see an opt out benefit two of her children who attend Greenbrier High School.
Despite this, Pullum worries about how opting out will impact affordable housing.
“While I do have two children that this is going to affect their final years in the public education system, I do have older children that are looking at possibly moving back here one day,” she said. “My daughter told me, she was like, ‘but what if I can’t afford the taxes on a home?’ Right now, they could not afford to live in our neighborhood. If this opt out goes through, they’re just not gonna be able to.”
Board member Judy Teasley addressed this, saying that opting out of House Bill 581 will contribute to school district improvement, which in turn will see property values go up.
“The reason people come here is not for the inexpensive housing, not for the massive numbers of jobs,” she said. “People will tell you the primary reason they come to Columbia County is for the school system, because the school system is not what it is, they’re not coming here, so your property values go down.”
‘Nobody understood the language:’ confusion around the bill
Many speaking at Tuesday’s hearing – whether they voted for the bill or not – seemed to agree that the way the bill was presented on the ballot was confusing or unclear.
Karin Parham, in favor of an opt out, disclosed that she voted against the bill because she “couldn’t find very much information about it online,” but was still worried its adoption would kneecap local schools.
Harry Burton also spoke on this, saying that “nobody understood the language of the voting, and that’s the reason 60% voted for it.”
Undermining the will of the people?
Some public participation speakers, including Janet Duggan, would rather see the school district accept House Bill 581.
“By opting out, you are directly undermining the will of the people,” said Duggan.
The school district’s final public hearing will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 8 a.m.
