Madison County commissioners unanimously voted to approve proposed rollback rates for residential property taxes at the regular board meeting on Monday after deciding to opt out of the statewide homestead exemption in February, a decision they are making efforts to best navigate. 

“When they discuss budgets and taxes, I’m all ears,” said Mark Staley, a resident and Carlton Council Member.

Discussion primarily surrounded House Bill 92, which revises House Bill 581 by adjusting the definition of estimated roll-back rates, statewide homestead exemption, and Property Tax Relief Local Option Sales Tax (PTRLOST) eligibility. It serves to give local governing bodies extended time to opt out of the statewide homestead exemption, which can reduce the amount of property taxes homeowners may owe on their legal residence, and the choice to rescind if they’ve already chosen to do so. The bill proposes many changes and additional requirements for counties who opt out.

“One of the things that it requires is that you’ll have to certify the estimated rollback through an official vote, and that’ll be on the incorporated and unincorporated,” said Chief Tax Assessor Robin Baker. “We also have to get certified votes from all the cities, and we are in the process of doing that. They have to be in my office 15 days before we send assessment notices. Right now we’re looking at probably the end of May because the school board won’t meet until the 13th. We’ll get their certified vote, probably the 14th.” 

Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the estimated rollback rates from the tax office for the presented unincorporated areas at 9.187% and incorporated areas at 10.376% for 2025 property tax assessments. For residents, they’ll be required to provide notification when millage rates exceed the estimated rollback rates and they must include if the adopted rate will result in an increase in property taxes owed. 

This bill has been notably difficult for counties all over Georgia to navigate.

“Bills come through with a lot more conflicts and problems now than they did decades ago,” said Commissioner Brian Kirk.

“It’s going to be a learning curve for the state for years to come, just to be honest with you. We’ll all have to be a part of that learning curve,” said Chairman Todd Higdon for the Madison County Board of Commissioners.

Commissioners also discussed the proposed technology fees by both the local probate and magistrate courts, with Probate Judge Cody Cross proposing a new fee. The board decided to table approval and further discussion until they can thoroughly read and understand the proposals of both courts in the hopes of approving both at the one-time, a unanimously supported decision.  

 Chairman Higdon commended the recent recruitment of 18 volunteer firefighters and spoke about the new training facility that allows them to stay in the county rather than paying for the expense of training elsewhere in the state. He emphasized the need for more volunteers in years to come as it’s a position that he stressed is essential and of high importance for the community.