Chattooga County voters approved three countywide ballot referendums in Tuesday’s General Election, renewing a one-percent education sales tax and approving two measures providing property tax relief for senior citizens.

All three measures received substantial support, with the county senior homestead exemption drawing the largest percentage of favorable votes.

Education Sales Tax Renewal

Voters approved continuing the existing one-percent education sales tax for another five years, with 4,490 voting yes and 2,395 voting no. The measure received 65.21 percent approval.

The renewal authorizes the collection of up to $26.9 million for the Chattooga County and Trion school systems.

The money will be divided between the two school districts based on student enrollment and can be used for school construction and renovations, classroom improvements, technology, school buses, safety and security equipment, athletic facilities and payments on existing school-related debt.

The measure continues an existing sales tax rather than imposing an additional one-percent tax. Revenue is collected on eligible purchases made in Chattooga County, including purchases by visitors and residents.

County Property Tax Exemption For Seniors

The strongest voter support went to a new county property tax exemption for qualifying senior citizens.

The measure passed with 6,216 yes votes and 665 no votes, receiving 90.34 percent approval.

Under the measure, Chattooga County homeowners who are at least 70 years old and have incomes not exceeding $38,000 will qualify for a $70,000 exemption from the assessed value of their homestead for county property tax purposes.

Georgia generally assesses residential property at 40 percent of fair market value. That means the $70,000 assessed-value exemption is substantial and could eliminate the county portion of property taxes for many qualifying senior homeowners, depending on their property’s assessed value.

The exemption applies to county property taxes, not necessarily every tax appearing on a homeowner’s property tax bill.

School Property Tax Exemption For Seniors

Voters also approved expanding eligibility for an existing senior citizen homestead exemption from Chattooga County School District property taxes.

That referendum received 5,068 yes votes and 1,308 no votes, with 79.49 percent voting in favor.

The measure increases the income limit for qualifying homeowners age 70 and older from $20,000 to $38,000.

The income limit will increase to $41,150 for the 2027 tax year and to $55,000 beginning with the 2028 tax year.

Unlike the county exemption, this measure changes the income eligibility requirements for an existing school property tax exemption, allowing more qualifying senior citizens to receive the benefit.

The school tax exemption applies to the Chattooga County School District, and eligibility requirements must be met.

What’s Next?

The results from Tuesday’s election remain unofficial until certification.

The Chattooga County Board of Elections and Registration is scheduled to meet Friday, November 6, at 5 PM at the Chattooga County Registrar’s Office to certify the election results.

The approval of these three measures means the county’s education sales tax will continue, while qualifying senior homeowners will have expanded opportunities for property tax relief.