With rising property taxes, Georgians can vote to freeze values for assessments

(The Center Square) — While property taxes continue to rise in many jurisdictions across Georgia, voters will have a chance to cap how much home values can rise for property tax purposes.

“Monthly costs for Georgians, from the north Georgia mountains to the coast, continue to rise,” Lt. Governor Burt Jones said in a statement last month. “During record high inflation, skyrocketing debt and expenses rising every day, local governments should be focused on bringing costs down – not letting them increase.”

As part of House Bill 581 and House Resolution 1022, when Georgia voters head to the polls in November, they will decide on a constitutional amendment to cap the annual rise in home values for property tax purposes. According to the Georgia Municipal Association, if approved, assessment increases on homesteaded properties would be restricted to 3% annually starting Jan. 1.

“This is a solution that will ensure your property taxes are determined in a transparent and fair way,” Jones, a Republican, said. “This proposal is not a mandate and local governments can choose to opt out of this cap only after announcing their intention to do so and holding a series of public meetings. While this opt-out measure is included, it would be disappointing to see local governments utilize it.

“By opting out of a measure intended to save Georgian’s money, local governments would be prioritizing revenues over Georgia citizens,” Jones added. “I encourage all Georgians to reach out to their local government officials and let them know how important an annual cap on their property tax bills is to their household budget.”

Millage rates vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and city councils, county commissions and boards of education set rates. While officials have phased out a state millage rate on real and personal property, in some jurisdictions, residents also pay property taxes to a special tax district, such as a local fire or hospital authority.

This month, Gwinnett County commissioners adopted a general fund millage rate of 6.95 mills, the same as last year. Across the state, officials in Savannah are considering a millage rate of 12.2 mills, which they say is unchanged from 2023 and matches the lowest property rate since 1987.

“Inflation has impacted everybody, including local government,” Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson said in a statement. “Holding the rate steady means we’re able to continue delivering the superior government services residents rely on without homeowners who benefit from the value offset exemption paying more this year.”

Even without raising the millage rate, cities can see their collections increase due to new developments and higher property values. For example, city officials in the Cobb County city of Smyrna opted to maintain a millage rate of 8.99 mills.

“For the 17th straight year, we didn’t raise the millage rate, and as long as I’m in this seat, we will not raise the millage rate,” Mayor Derek Norton said in his State of the City address on Wednesday.

However, not raising the rate doesn’t mean the city’s coffers are running low. Between 2019 and 2024, the city’s net taxes levied increased by 50.4%, even as the millage rate remained steady.