Pending state legislation may impact today’s Augusta Commission vote on House Bill 581, which creates a “floating” homestead exemption intended to provide tax relief to homeowners.
The commission has held the three public hearings required by state law to “opt out” of the exemption, which critics say will unfairly shift the tax burden to non-residential property owners.
One commissioner said his colleagues are struggling with the decision, for fear of “public outcry,” although his mind is made up.
“I’m voting to opt in, regardless,” Commissioner Jordan Johnson said. “I believe the people spoke; they voted. My responsibility is to adhere to what the voters voted.”
Voters in November approved a referendum, statewide and in Richmond County, to approve the tax break. But the referendum question included giving local governments the option to opt out.
Commissioner Tony Lewis said he too supports not opting out, but suspected opting out will have its six needed votes Tuesday.
New Republican-sponsored state legislation that moved rapidly last week to pass the House and now is pending in the senate would postpone the deadline for opting out from Saturday to March 31. The amended bill originally postponed the deadline to 2029.
House Bill 92 also gives local governments and school districts through March 31 to rescind their decision to opt out.
Wednesday, the Savannah-Chatham Board of Education voted to table its vote to opt out pending the outcome of the bill.
The Augusta Commission vote on House Bill 581 is scheduled for 11 a.m., at the time of the commission’s special called meeting, prior to commission committee meetings which start at 1 p.m.
Public Services Committee: Parks, accessibility and new sports facilities
- At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle, the committee will discuss strategies for the city’s underutilized parks. The commission has toyed with the idea of selling or divested little-used parks, including Doughty, Boykin Road, Bedford Heights, West Vineland and Heard Avenue parks.
- A report will also be presented regarding Mr. Richard Skuse’s request for improved ADA paratransit services in Augusta.
- The committee will revisit a proposal by Dr. Troy W. Akers, who has expressed interest in developing a new tennis and pickleball facility in Augusta.
Administrative Services Committee: Airport leadership and employment inclusion
- The committee will consider a motion to establish a Senior Executive Service position, eligible for special salary protections under Augusta’s personnel manual, for a deputy executive director at Augusta Regional Airport.
- Activist Lawrence Brannen is seeking commission approval for a proposed amendment to the Augusta-Richmond County Code. This amendment would expand employment opportunities for individuals with criminal histories.
Transportation Investment Act
- The Finance Committee will discuss the downtown “TIA,” the multimillion-dollar sales-tax funded streetscape overhaul targeting Broad, Greene, Telfair and side streets downtown, at the request of Commissioner Jordan Johnson.
