AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta leaders held their final public input session Tuesday on the homestead exemption property tax cap.

The only Augusta Commission members there from the start were Wayne Guilfoyle, Tina Slendak and Francine Scott. Mayor Garnett Johnson was also there, while Commissioners Don Clark and Tony Lewis came in during the public comment period.

About 30 to 40 members of the public were there for the meeting that started at 11 a.m.

A new state law passed by voters caps property tax increases for people with the homestead exemption. This “floating” homestead exemption would mean some adjustments for local governments, which rely on those property tax revenues. As a result, governments can opt out of the cap – but only if they do so by March 1 and after holding at least three public input sessions.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Richmond County Tax Assessor Scott Rountree explained that when homestead properties are exempted, the tax burden must shift to other levies, like commercial, agricultural, industrial and residential non-homestead property taxes.

“I think it’s putting undue burden and undue stress on them,” said Angie Cox, president and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Not to mention the fact that with business owners already having increased costs elsewhere to shift that property tax onto the commercial owners, it’s just creating another cost for them.”

The floating homestead exemption would benefit homeowners, especially those who live in their homes for a long time, the public learned during the session.

Existing homesteads would be added to the new floating exemption.

Richmond County’s tax accessor says this is an additional exemption, and that is something some homeowners want.

“When we take a vote, we assume the voters know what they are doing and we abide by what the voters say,” said Dan Funsch, an Augusta resident.

Here’s what people said during the public comment portion of the meeting:

• “I’m just stressed that seven of our commissioners are not here at a public hearing. … We are just here talking to empty chairs. Who are we talking to? The voters – 62% of voters voted for this – I don’t think it’s wise for our elected officials to overlook this. This is not something we voted on 10 years ago. We recently voted on this.”
• “The voters opted in. The bottom line is taxpayers want the relief. We don’t trust our commissioners to come back and do a FLOST,” said Moses Todd, the second speaker.
• The third person to speak said the matter is like “kicking the can down the road for taxes.” “So I say opt out. Because once you opt in, you can’t opt out. … It’s not going to have a really big impact if you already have homestead exemption. … It allows commissioners to come up with our own tax adjustments.”
• The fourth speaker said it doesn’t seem like it matters what the voters think.
• The fifth person to speak was Sue Parr, representing the Chamber of Commerce at the mayor’s request. She spoke about the shift of the burden to commercial properties if commissioners opt-in.

Johnson said: “I can’t speak to why some of the commissioners aren’t here. But we always want to make the decision that benefits the taxpayer. How do we make sure we protect the commercial properties/small businesses so we do not send them to neighboring counties?”

Richmond County’s tax accessor says this is an additional exemption, and that is something some homeowners want.

“When we take a vote, we assume the voters know what they are doing and we abide by what the voters say,” said Dan Funsch, an Augusta resident.

According to the tax accessor, opting in and maintaining the exemption could create a tax shift, placing the burden on commercial property owners, businesses and multifamily housing.

“I think it’s putting undue burden and undue stress on them,” said Angie Cox, president and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Not to mention the fact that with business owners already having increased costs elsewhere to shift that property tax onto the commercial owners, it’s just creating another cost for them.”

At the end, City Administrator Tameka Allen asked how many people in the room truly understood what was being presented.

About half raised their hand.

She said if the city opts in, “homeowners may save some money, but that burden will shift to commercial and non-homesteaders. … We respect that you voted for this – but we want to make sure you understand what’s all involved.”

Later as the commission went into its regular meeting, Todd again pointed out to commissioners that the public voted to opt in, and “we’ve been generous to this government as far as SPLOSTs go.”

“I understand the need of our local government needing revenues to operate,” he said. “But I call upon you to not take this away from voters. I ask that you give us our FLOST if you opt out.”

FLOST is a type of sales tax to make up the lost revenues.

Allen reminded commissioners they have until March 1 to decide on opting in or out. She said the city has held all the public meetings that are required.

No decision was made Tuesday, however.

Clark said: “I know everyone keeps saying there was a 62% vote, but unfortunately I don’t think everyone understood what they were voting for. This is something all counties in Georgia are facing … I highly encourage everyone to not rely on the rumor mill with this.”

Guilfoyle said now is the best time to discuss the pros and cons.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” he said.

He said the best thing is to pause and decide something next week.

Commissioner Catherina Smith Rice seconded the motion, and Guilfoyle asked Allen to look at other avenues for revenues.

The city general counsel said there needs to be a special called meeting on the matter, and it will be added to the 11 a.m. agenda before commissioners meet at the committee level next week.

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