As expected and with no public opposition present, the Dade County Board of Education Monday afternoon formally voted unanimously to opt-out of participating in Georgia’s new statewide floating homestead exemption known as House Bill 581.
The new law became effective January 1st, after 63% of Georgia voters approved the constitutional amendment in the November election. In Dade County, HB 581 was passed with 72% of voter approval.
Proponents of HB 581 say it’s an inflationary tied limit to annual increases of property taxes for Georgia’s residential homeowners.
But Dade County Schools Superintendent Josh Ingle says he found little financial benefit for his school system to opt in, noting a more than 3.5 million dollar loss of revenue for Dade County Schools in a five year study contrasting the county’s current property tax exemption vis a vis HB 581.
A small but vocal minority of HB 581 supporters told board members in earlier public forums that their collective vote should reflect the will of the majority of Dade voters who wanted the state’s property tax amendment; as passed and intended.
Beyond the financial implications HB 581 may have posed for the Dade Schools System if adopted, Superintendent Ingle took exception to how the bill was both drafted and written. “If the legislators wanted to pass a law, then pass the law without giving an option to opt-out,” said Ingle after Thursday’s certifying board vote.
Superintendent Ingle also suggested a better dialogue with local lawmakers in their fact finding process prior to drafting amendments to alter the state’s constitution.
“Number one; Neither one of our legislators reached out for input last year while they were working on this piece of legislation. Now, I understand that neither one of them may have been part of the legislation, but if they know it’s being put up for a vote. How about a call and let’s talk?”
In the subsequent regularly scheduled board meeting, Commissioner at large Dr Jayne Griffin was elected Chairman for a two year term.
Johnny Warren, who represents the Trenton District, was elected Vice-Chair. Both were voted in unanimously by remaining board members.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Dade County Board of Education is set for February 24th at 5pm in Trenton.
By Vince Lennon