AUGUSTA, Ga. – During a meeting on Monday, Augusta commissioners engaged in a heated discussion about the potential to opt out of a new Georgia law allowing the city to bypass a “floating” homestead exemption for property taxes. The law, recently approved by voters, is designed to cap property tax increases, but local governments can choose to exempt themselves from the plan after holding a series of public hearings.

Several communities in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) have indicated their intention to opt out, prompting the ongoing debate in Augusta. The issue became a focal point during Monday’s meeting, where Commissioner Bob Young voiced strong opposition to any effort to reverse the decision made by local voters in November.

Young reminded his fellow commissioners that 60% of Augusta voters had approved the homestead exemption, which is intended to provide property tax relief to homeowners. He emphasized that the exemption was more than just a tax break—it was a tool to encourage homeownership and investment in the city.

“The exemption is just another incentive for people to invest in homeownership in Augusta, Richmond County,” Young said. “My message to you is that you don’t need to schedule any public hearings about opting out. The public hearing was held on Nov. 5, when 48,000 people in Richmond County said, ‘Give us our tax break.’”

Young argued that holding additional hearings would undermine the outcome of the referendum and questioned the rationale behind disregarding the voters’ wishes. He referred to such an action as “voter nullification,” suggesting that it would send a message that referendums and public votes have no real power.

The commission is expected to continue discussions about whether Augusta should opt out of the new law, with public hearings likely to be scheduled in the coming weeks. However, the decision remains a contentious issue, as the debate over respecting voter intentions versus local fiscal concerns continues to divide commissioners.