The Georgia General Assembly has passed legislation that allows voters to decide on raising sales taxes to 8 percent while also lowering property tax bills.
The state House of Representatives voted 135-32 on Tuesday to agree with minor amendments to the measure, House Bill 215, and send it to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature or veto.
Residents would vote on the tax changes during a referendum to be held if and when it’s called for by DeKalb’s elected county government leaders.
Part of the initiative would increase sales taxes by 1 percentage point in DeKalb to raise money dedicate to upgrade the county's outdated roads and infrastructure.
The special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) would generate about $108 million a year, with about $80 million going to the county government and $28 million for city governments, according to the county.
The legislation also would increase property tax relief under DeKalb's existing homestead option sales tax (HOST).
The change would allocate HOST distributions entirely for the purpose of reducing residential property tax bills. Currently, 80 percent of HOST funds goes toward property tax relief, and the rest is distributed to city and county governments.
Adjusting the HOST formula would result in about $21 million in property tax relief each year.
State lawmakers also approved a separate measure Tuesday, House Bill 596, that will hold down residential property taxes in DeKalb by freezing assessed property values.
The measure extends for five more years an existing assessment freeze that has been in place since 2007.
By preventing the assessed value of homes from going up except when they’re sold or renovated, residents’ property taxes will stay the same each year unless elected officials raise rates.
About the Author
