Last week, Chattooga County Probate Judge and Election Superintendent Gary Woods called for a special election for Chattooga County voters to vote up or down on local legislation that would allow for property owners to opt for a homestead exemption “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”.

The legislation was cleared by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp, but does not take affect unless approved by a majority of Chattooga County voters.  The legislation would allow property owners to freeze their property values, according to County Commissioner Blake Elsberry, who was a proponent of the legislation.

The special election will take place in conjunction with the May Primary Election and the question will appear on the Republican, Democratic and non-partisan ballots.