Marietta residents could lose the property tax protections they just voted for. The city is looking at opting out of Georgia’s new property tax cap, which limits increases in property taxes to the rate of inflation.
Voters passed the cap in November with overwhelming support, but Marietta leaders are now pushing to bypass it. Under state law, cities, counties, and schools can opt out of the tax cap.
The law also requires three public hearings to be scheduled to make sure residents are informed about the changes.
Why It Matters: Homeowners backed the tax cap to stop sudden spikes in property assessments and taxes due to sharply increasing post-Covid property values. The law took effect January 1, but cities can opt out—giving them freedom to raise assessments beyond inflation.
Supporters of opting out say the cap could strain funding for schools, roads, and emergency services. Critics argue it’s a move to undo what voters just approved and could mean bigger tax bills for residents.
What Residents Can Do: The city must notify the state by March 1 if it plans to opt out. That leaves a short window for homeowners to speak out.
What’s Next: The public hearings are set for January 8, January 28, and February 12.
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.
