Grovetown HB581 3rd Hearing 02.11.2025 Notes
By Bradley Roemer
Council Members Present: Eric Blair, Richard Bowman, Sylvia Martin
Council Members not Present: Cerreta Smith, Mayor Gary Jones
Call to Order
Greetings
Pledge of Allegiance
Council members thank those present for attending; note that this was the largest turnout they have had (just under a dozen by my count); ask for input, questions, and comments.
City Assistant Administrator and CFO Bradley Smith:
- Mr. Smith noted that whatever the City chooses regarding HB581, it has no impact on existing property tax exemptions as this has been a FAQ from citizens.
- Gave a basic description of the three major sections of the bill:
- Homestead exemption
- explained this doesn’t change appraisal; explained how it is applied
- Possible FLOST if all entities opt in
- County, Grovetown, and Harlem would all have to opt in; THEN could send to the voters to approve; no guarantee voters would approve and then entities have to find alternate revenue or cut services/employees
- Property tax reform: changes in the way adjustments of millage rates are communicated
- Discussed the potential impacts on the City of opting in:
- uncertainty of future revenue complicates budgeting and planning
- to maintain services would have to end up raising millage rates
- 3 of past 5 years Grovetown has lowered millage rates
- Council members each expressed concern at different points about having to reduce services; proud of high quality services provided by the City (a particular emphasis of Ms. Smith); noted disproportionate impact this would have on seniors and others on fixed incomes
Speakers:
Speaker 1 (Bradley Roemer):
Opt-Out. The Resolution was poorly worded. There was a difference in wording between the resolution on the ballot and the wording in the bill. Several citizens at County hearings indicated they had voted for the measure in November but would not have if they understood what it was about. Shady to pass an illegal bill, and then change the constitution to make it a legal bill. Grovetown is going to continue to grow, cutting ability to grow services with it would be unwise. Addressed that sales tax is not a fair tax because it taxes families that make less $ a higher percentage of their income than it does families that make more $$. Also a greater burden on seniors. It isn’t fair to tax poorer families at a higher rate in order to subsidize property tax relief. City already has the mechanism to provide property tax relief by adjusting millage rates.
Mr. Blair: Noted that opting in would likely have the unintended consequence of raising rental prices which are already high, possibly making the City less attractive to renters.
Mr. Bowman noted that even though the new hospital being built is outside City limits, many of the employees it attracts will likely choose to reside in the City
Speaker 2 (Sandra Thomas):
Opt-Out.
Asked what impact it would have on other exemptions, specifically for disabled Vets. Mr. Blair said it does not impact any other exemptions.
Speaker 3 (Carla Harrison):
Opt-Out.
Concerned about possible decline in services; as a landlord also doesn’t want to have to pass on costs to renters; expressed concerns with the way the ballot measure was worded; encouraged City Council to do whatever influence they might have to get the School Board to lower the school tax exemption age to provide relief to seniors
Speaker 4 (Nancy Dickies):
Asked for clarification about what happens if the entities’ choices to opt in/out are mixes..
Mr. Smith explained homeowners would only get the exemption for the portion of their bill of the entities that opt in but there would be no option for the FLOST
Council members thanked everyone for showing up and speaking; requested attendees to encourage neighbors to call/email council members and City staff with questions and concerns so they can have as much citizen input as possible. Will soon be scheduling and announcing a special meeting to vote on the matter.
Meeting Adjourned