The City of Tucker will hold three public hearing meetings in the month of February to discuss the intent to opt-out of the state floating homestead exemption option for Tucker property owners.
According to a release from the city, the Georgia General Assembly, during the 2024 legislative session, passed House Bill 581 and it was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp. Local jurisdictions must decide to opt-in or opt-out by March 1.
House Bill 581 limits increases in the assessed value of a primary residence by linking it to an established inflationary average. Several local entitities, including the Fulton County School System, are considering opting out of the exemption.
“Some have argued that policies granting generous homestead property tax exemptions unfairly shift the tax burden to commercial property and new residents,” Tucker City Manager John McHenry said during the council’s Jan. 13 meeting. “Others maintain they are appropriate measures that contribute to home ownership affordability, neighborhood stability and allow long-term residents on a fixed income to stay in their home.”
Any city that elects to opt out of this measure must complete three public hearings, advertise in the legal organ a week before each hearing, and adopt a resolution to be delivered to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office by March 1.
McHenry said the city’s current homestead exemption is “far more generous” than the relief that HB 581 would provide.
Tucker officials will take up the matter for discussion during the regular scheduled meeting on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. and at two special called meetings at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2025.
Tucker public meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 350B.
