Add Hall BOE to the list of public bodies opting out of HB 581

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The list of local governing bodies deciding to opt out of Georgia’s HB 581 is growing. The Hall County Board of Education (HCBOE) has a Facebook posting announcing its intentions and plans for public hearings on the question.

This follows in short order similar plans announced by the Gainesville school board and City of Gainesville.

Gainesville to opt out of HB 581, too

“The HALL COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION intends to opt out of the statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption for the HALL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT,” the board’s announcement reads. 

Public hearings are planned January 27, February 10 and February 24, each at 6:00 and each at board of education offices at 711 Green Street.

“During the 2024 legislative and election cycles, two bills, known as House Bill 581 and House Bill 1270, respectively, were approved as measures to limit large increases in the taxable values of homestead properties,” the board’s announcement continues. “An explanation of House Bills 581 and 1270, as well as each bill’s impact to the school district’s available resources for students is provided here:

PDF Icon Impacts of House Bill 581 and House Bill 1270

The HCSD believes it is in the best interest of our boys and girls to exercise the one-time opportunity to opt out of HB 581 for the following reasons:

  1. The local legislation is more restrictive and will go into place regardless of whether the district opts out of HB 581, resulting in no loss of the tax reduction benefits to Hall County taxpayers.
  2. The GDOR may not release the annual rate of increase in a manner timely to the HCSD’s budget process, resulting in the budget being passed after the beginning of the fiscal year rather than before the fiscal year begins.
  3. Knowing that the annual increase will always be no greater than 3% provides better ability to predict property tax revenues than a floating CPI rate.
  4. The consumer price index (CPI) to be used under HB 581 can vary at the will of the State Revenue Commissioner.

The District will plan to opt-out of HB 581 according to the following notice and will advertise its intent and provide opportunities for hearings and public comment according to the below schedule.

PDF Icon Notice of Intent to Opt Out of Homestead Exemption “