The Oconee County Board of Education has voted to opt out of a statewide homestead exemption approved by voters in November.
Oconee County Observations reports the vote was four to one…with Board Chairman Michael Ransom, Vice Chair Amy Parrish, Post Five Board member Brock Toole and post 3 Board Member Ryan Hammock all voted for opting our of the exemption. Post 4 Board Member Adam Hammond was the only board member that voted against opting out.
The Board of Education has used increased assessments to lower the millage rate and still increase revenue from property taxes in recent years, and this vote will allow the Board to continue to use that method.
All counties in the Athens area announced plans to oppose the exemption. Across the state, 62.9 percent of the voters approved the amendment. In Oconee County, the percentage of voters approving was 64.3 percent.
