I've gotten a lot of questions about the ballot questions and we've talked about it several time on The Martha Zoller Show. But it's happened enough, that I thought a blog post would be in order.
On the 1st question it's about homestead exemptions. And as I understand it :
If you vote YES, you’re casting a vote to 1) approve a cap on the amount a home value can increase in any given year, and 2) give your county officials the option to approve an additional 1 cent sales tax, which would be used to offset property taxes.
If you vote NO, you’re casting a vote 1) in opposition of capping the amount a home value can increase in any given year, and 2) expressing opposition to an additional 1 cent sales tax put in place by local county officials.
I voted no.
Second one. Create a tax court.
Currently, tax disputes are handled by a tribunal.
If you vote YES, you’re casting a vote in favor of creating the Georgia Tax Court by moving the responsibility of Georgia Department of Revenue disputes from the executive branch to the judicial branch.
If you vote NO, you’re casting a vote in against the creation of the Georgia Tax Court and in opposition to moving the responsibility of Georgia Department of Revenue disputes from the executive branch to the judicial branch.
I like the idea of a court, although I think this is used rarely.
I voted yes.
The 3rd one is about increasing homestead exemption on personal property. Basically adjusting for inflation.
If you vote YES, you’re voting in favor of increasing the personal property tax exemption from $7,500 to $20,000.
If you vote NO, you’re voting in opposition of increasing the personal property tax exemption and wish to keep it at $7,500.HB 808 can be found here. (https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65535)It passed the Georgia House
125-42. It passed the Georgia Senate 51-0.
I voted yes
The last local one is more local. Caps prop tax to not more than 3% increases a year.
It protects from inflation and when you sell the property the tax adjusts if necessary.
I voted yes
Finally, the last question is the T-Splost vote. This is the most transparent way to fund roads for Hall County. The last vote we had 12 years ago was a process that was wonky and regional. This tax will only be for Hall County. If you've been in Hall County on any given day, there are a lot of cars coming from outside the county. This way, everyone who uses our roads and spends money in our county will contribute. I like sales tax cause it's transparent.
I voted yes.
Hope this helps and please listen everyday and call in or text with your questions.
