Gwinnett County school officials want to opt out of a property tax cap that Georgia voters approved by 63% in November. The school district is just the latest in a mad dash by local governments throughout the state to buck the will of voters and allow themselves to raise taxes beyond the inflation rate.
What’s Happening: The Gwinnett County Board of Education has scheduled three public hearings to discuss opting out of House Bill 581, which limits annual increases in property value assessments for tax purposes. The hearings are set for January 16 at 6 p.m., and February 20 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., at the Instructional Support Center in Suwanee.
The school system announced its intentions on Sunday morning.
Why It Matters: House Bill 581, effective January 1, caps annual property value assessment increases to the rate of inflation, providing tax relief to homeowners. However, Gwinnett County Public Schools estimate this could result in a revenue loss of $35 million for the 2025-26 school year, potentially exceeding $100 million over three years.
What’s Next: Residents can attend the public hearings to express their views. Sign-up sheets for speakers will be available at each meeting; no advance registration is required. For more information, visit the Gwinnett County Public Schools website at www.gcpsk12.org.
Why This Should Catch Your Attention: If you voted to have your property taxes capped below the rate of inflation in November, it should interest you when any of your local government bodies seeks to opt out of that vote.
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.
