Governor Brian Kemp has signed House Bill 77 into law that would allow Chattooga County residents to freeze their homestead values.  Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry says that the local legislation will now go to the ballot box for Chattooga County voters to decide.

The bill reads as follows:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for a homestead exemption from Chattooga County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the adjusted base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Commissioner Elsberry posted on social media yesterday, “Homestead Freeze passed legislation and was signed by the Governor yesterday. As a 2024 voter, you will decide if you want the choice to freeze your homestead values. If passed, this will stop the outrageous increases we have all experienced in the value of our home assessments”.