CCBoE HB581 Hearing 2
January 28, 2025
Call To Order
Approval of Agenda: Yay 5, No 0
Presentation on House Bill 581 (Intent of Columbia County Board of Education to Opt Out of Statewide Homestead Exemption. Link to Slides
Board discussion (summary) There was a discussion that if the board members opt-in, they will need to raise the millage rate to cover expenses but if they get close to the cap of 20mil, their credit rating may go down, increasing the cost of bonds. If they hit 20mill, they won’t be able to raise additional revenue, and may need to furlough employees. Employees were furloughed (certified and non-certified) in 2010 and they didn’t receive back pay. Class sizes were increased and it took years to recover. Teasley went through different historical events in the economy to highlight that we can’t really predict what the economy will do in the future and the district will be locked into HB581 for 50 years. Allen said that between 2018-2023 property values increased 61%. Property taxes increased 41%. Maybe it would be more certain/steady to not go with the market value when budgeting. Allen asked if the formula would stay the same and the general formula will stay the same but the homestead exemption would be larger. Allen mentioned the magic formula for the rate the State Revenue Commission would choose - the law says they would choose the rate after January 1st but gives no specifics about when it would be announced. Allen asked what percentage of properties are homestead properties and it’s about 40%. Dekle asked about the dollar amount of properties that are homestead and Mr. Casado (finance) wasn’t sure.
Public Comments:
Karin Parham: Opt-Out - local control, voted no on the law because it would kneecap schools
Speaker 2 (didn’t catch name): Opt-Out but concerned about rising taxes and home affordability. Asked for more detailed budget to be released. Asked about additional revenue sources.
Janet Duggan - Opt-In Read a statement from Senator Moore in District 53. Concerns about past increases in budget over inflation and extra funds moving to the building fund. Dekle noted that there was also an increase in school’s expense.
YeSun Wiltse: Opt-In. Felt that the school is not as responsive to taxpayers as the County Commissioners. From 2005-2024, her property taxes increased 63% at County, but increased 241% at the school. Services are much better through the County. She thinks that although 40% of the properties are homestead properties, there will be home sales so not all 40% will be kept at the homestead rate. (Mr. Dekle asked her to finish because there were other speakers.) Feels like the district is building extras in the buildings that are not necessary, such as performing arts centers and empty spaces that could be used for classrooms instead of portables. She feels that core academics are the important thing and everything else is extra and maybe the district shouldn’t fund those things as much. (Judy Teasley noted later that Fine Arts is a State requirement.)
Van Land : Opt-Out. Didn’t feel like the law was very clear when people voted on it. Wants to keep local control.
Doug Furman: Opt-In. November of 2024, 60% voted for HB 581. Feels like his taxes have went up too much in the past few years and wants the district to opt-in.
Emma Wackowski: Opt-Out. Mentioned that businesses would be burdened more and that Columbia County may lose businesses. Although 60% voted in favor of the legislation, the question was confusing on the ballot.
Perry Burton: Opt-Out. Wants to opt-out in order to maintain local control. Proposed to see if there’s a way that they could mimic HB581 locally but still opt-out to maintain control. 70% of property tax bill is to school district.
Adjourn: Yay 5, No 0