Brookhaven officials are moving to opt out of Georgia’s new property tax cap, defying the will of 63% of Georgia voters who supported the measure in November.
What’s Happening: The City of Brookhaven has scheduled three public hearings to justify opting out of House Bill 581, which limits annual increases in property values for tax purposes to inflation. The hearings, which are required by law, are set for January 14, January 28, and February 11, all starting at 6:30 p.m. at Brookhaven City Hall.
Why It Matters: House Bill 581, signed into law on April 18, was designed to protect homeowners from steep property tax increases by capping property tax increases so that they could not be more than the rate of inflation.
Brookhaven leaders argue the city already provides substantial exemptions, shielding nearly $3 billion in property values from taxes. Opting out would let the city collect more tax revenue than allowed under the cap— effectively enabling higher taxes beyond inflation.
What’s Next: Residents can attend the public hearings and voice their opinions.
Why This Should Catch Your Attention: Brookhaven’s plan to bypass the voter-approved cap could lead to higher property taxes, affecting family budgets and housing costs. Residents concerned about affordability and government accountability have a chance to tell city leaders how they feel.
In The Know: While much attention is given to national politics and the workings of Congress and the White House, local government meetings are where the decisions that impact your daily life are made. City Council, County Commission, School Board Meetings, and Town Halls are where your elected leaders discuss and decide the issues that most effect your family and your community. These meetings are open to the public.
Each week, The Georgia Sun highlights some of the meetings and local government actions you need to know about in your community to keep you informed and to make sure you know what decisions your elected officials are considering and how your tax dollars are being spent.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
