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IssueCorneliaunder consideration

Cornelia weighs opting out of new floating homestead tax exemption

The city is holding a series of public hearings on whether to opt out of a new state homestead exemption, a choice that affects how property taxes are calculated and has already delayed residents' 2025 tax bills.

By NEGA Brief NewsroomLast checked September 30, 2026
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February 27, 2025: HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption public hearing

What happens next

No next step has been documented.

At a glance

What this means now

Where it stands

A later city manager's report noted that 2025 property tax bills were delayed because of the new floating homestead exemption, with bills finally mailed out on February 24.

The story

The Cornelia City Commission opened the first of three required public hearings on the HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption on January 7, 2025, with Mayor Borrow opening the hearing.

SourcesCommission Agenda January 2025 91.0 KBJanuary 2025 City Commission Minutes 157.4 KBCommission Agenda Summary January 2025 127.9 KB

The commission held its second public hearing on February 4, 2025, on the exemption, which it described as making several significant changes to tax laws. The commission also decided to hold a special meeting on February 27 at 5 PM at 181 Larkin St., if necessary.

SourcesCommission Agenda February 2025 89.9 KBFebruary 4 2025 Comission Meeting Minutes 107.9 KB

A third public hearing on the exemption was placed on the commission's agenda for February 27, 2025.

SourcesFebruary 2025 Commission Agenda 130.5 KB

A later city manager's report noted that 2025 property tax bills were delayed because of the new floating homestead exemption, with bills finally mailed out on February 24.

SourcesCity Manager's Monthly Report for January 2026 5.7 MB

What happened

How this issue got here

Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.

mentioned
unknown

Delay in mailing 2025 property tax bills due to new floating homestead exemption

We finally got our tax bills sent out on February 2.4.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption public hearing

Public Hearing on HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption

Discussed
discussed

HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption public hearing

this was the City’s second public hearing about HB 581, which provides for se veral significant changes to the tax laws

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Public hearing on HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption

Public Hearing on HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption

Approved
confirmed

Special meeting on HB 581 homestead exemption opt-out decision, set for February 27

The commission decided to hold that special meeting, if necessary, on February 27th and 5 PM and will be held in the courtroom at 181 Larkin St.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Public Hearing on HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption

Public Hearing on HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption

Discussed
discussed

Public Hearing on HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption

Public Hearing on HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption Mayor Borrow opened the Public Hearing

Discussed
discussed

Public Hearing on HB 581 Floating Homestead Exemption

This is the first of three Public Hearing’s to be held before March 1st.

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