At the February 13, 2025 meeting, Mayor Early opened a public hearing to gather feedback on whether to stay in or opt out of the exemption. Councilperson Weatherly then moved to accept HB 581, seconded by Councilperson Franklin, and the council voted unanimously to opt in.
Historical recordTallulah Fallsarchived · approved
Tallulah Falls Town Council votes to opt in to HB 581 homestead exemption
The unanimous vote keeps the statewide floating homestead exemption in place for town property taxes, after a consultant estimated it would cut town property tax revenue by about 4%.
Latest
February 13, 2025: HB 581 floating homestead exemption - decision to opt in
At a glance
What this means now
The story
At its January 16, 2025 meeting, the Tallulah Falls Town Council reviewed a Sutton Consulting analysis of HB 581, the state's floating homestead exemption, finding it would decrease the town's property tax revenue by $5,697, or 3.98% of total property tax revenue. Council members also discussed the law's effective date, tied to the November 2024 constitutional amendment.
Local governments that did not want to participate in the exemption had until March 1, 2025 to formally opt out. The council set public hearings on the issue for February 13 and 20.
At the February 13, 2025 meeting, Mayor Early opened a public hearing to gather feedback on whether to stay in or opt out of the exemption. Councilperson Weatherly then moved to accept HB 581, seconded by Councilperson Franklin, and the council voted unanimously to opt in.
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.
DiscusseddiscussedPublic hearing on HB581 statewide floating homestead exemption opt-in/opt-out
Mayor Early summarized the reason for the public hearing regarding HB581 and the desire to hear
feedback on the option to stay in or opt out of a homestead exemption.
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Public hearing on HB581 statewide floating homestead exemption opt-in/opt-out
Mayor Early summarized the reason for the public hearing regarding HB581 and the desire to hear feedback on the option to stay in or opt out of a homestead exemption.
ApprovedunknownDecision on HB 581 homestead exemption opt-in/opt-out
A motion is made by Councilperson Weatherly to accept HB 581 and it is seconded by
Councilperson Franklin.
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Decision on HB 581 homestead exemption opt-in/opt-out
A motion is made by Councilperson Weatherly to accept HB 581 and it is seconded by Councilperson Franklin.
Appeared on agendaproposedHB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption public hearing
Public Hearing – HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
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HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption public hearing
Public Hearing – HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
Appeared on agendaproposedOld Business discussion of HB581 (floating homestead exemption / FLOST)
A. Discussion of HB581
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Old Business discussion of HB581 (floating homestead exemption / FLOST)
A. Discussion of HB581
Appeared on agendaproposedPublic Hearing on HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
Public Hearing — HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
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Public Hearing on HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
Public Hearing — HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
Appeared on agendaproposedDiscussion of HB581 (Old Business)
Discussion of HB581
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Discussion of HB581 (Old Business)
Discussion of HB581
Appeared on agendaproposedHB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
A. HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
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HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
A. HB581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption
ApprovedconfirmedHB 581 floating homestead exemption - decision to opt in
Mayor Early confirms the council's decision to opt in to HB 581, with a motion made and seconded,
passing unanimously.
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HB 581 floating homestead exemption - decision to opt in
Mayor Early confirms the council's decision to opt in to HB 581, with a motion made and seconded, passing unanimously.
DiscusseddiscussedConsultant (Sutton Consulting) analysis of the financial impact on Tallulah Falls of the homestead exemption digest cap
decreased property tax revenue by $5,697 which equates to 3.98% or the total property tax revenue
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Consultant (Sutton Consulting) analysis of the financial impact on Tallulah Falls of the homestead exemption digest cap
decreased property tax revenue by $5,697 which equates to 3.98% or the total property tax revenue
DiscusseddiscussedDiscussion of HB 581 and floating homestead exemption/FLOST impact on Town
HB 581 passed last year, effective after constitutional amendment in November.
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Discussion of HB 581 and floating homestead exemption/FLOST impact on Town
HB 581 passed last year, effective after constitutional amendment in November.
DiscusseddiscussedWhether to opt out of the statewide floating homestead exemption (HB 581) by the March 1, 2025 deadline
Any local government wishing not to participate must affirmatively "opt out"
If approved on November 2024 ballot, local governments have until March
1, 2025, to opt-out
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Whether to opt out of the statewide floating homestead exemption (HB 581) by the March 1, 2025 deadline
Any local government wishing not to participate must affirmatively "opt out" If approved on November 2024 ballot, local governments have until March 1, 2025, to opt-out
Appeared on agendaproposedDiscussion of HB581
Discussion of HB581
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Discussion of HB581
Discussion of HB581
DiscusseddiscussedPublic hearing dates set for HB 581/homestead exemption (Feb. 13 and Feb. 20)
Next council meeting scheduled for February 13th.
o Public hearings can be held at 5:00 and 6:00 PM.
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Public hearing dates set for HB 581/homestead exemption (Feb. 13 and Feb. 20)
Next council meeting scheduled for February 13th. o Public hearings can be held at 5:00 and 6:00 PM.
DiscusseddiscussedScheduling of public hearings on HB581 floating homestead exemption for February 13 and 20, 2025
Next council meeting scheduled for February 13th.
© Public hearings can be held at 5:00 and 6:00 PM.
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Scheduling of public hearings on HB581 floating homestead exemption for February 13 and 20, 2025
Next council meeting scheduled for February 13th. © Public hearings can be held at 5:00 and 6:00 PM.
Appeared on agendaproposedDiscussion of HB581
Discussion of HB581
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Discussion of HB581
Discussion of HB581
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