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Board approves resolution to decrease school taxes for seniors
Headshots of Rockdale County Board of Education members Mandy North, Pam Brown, Wales Barksdale, Heather Duncan, Sandra Jackson-Lett, Jim McBrayer, Akita Parmer. At a special called meeting on Thursday, March 3, 2022, the Rockdale County Board of Education approved an action item recommended by Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts to decrease school taxes for seniors. Five Board members approved the resolution, one opposed, and one Board member was not in attendance.

Pursuant to Georgia Constitution Article 7, Section 2 and O.C.G.A. 28-1-14, the recommendation was to support and submit local legislation that calls for a referendum to the qualified electors of Rockdale County on the question of: Whether the current exemption from Rockdale County ad valorem tax for educational purposes be increased from $35,000 to $50,000 for citizens of Rockdale County aged 65 years old or older. (see full resolution below.)

“I commend our Board of Education for its commitment to providing some tax relief for the seniors of Rockdale County. This action item that was approved by our Board unequivocally demonstrates our support for additional tax relief for our senior citizens,” said Superintendent Oatts. Board Chairwoman Mandy North added, “I am very pleased with this action as it will provide some tax relief for our county’s seniors. I thank our Board for their support of this resolution, and I look forward to working with Dr. Oatts and our local legislative delegation to advance this legislation.”

Currently there are several exemptions available to citizens with special circumstances and for seniors starting at 62 years of age. Changing this exemption for those 65 and older will be the largest exemption allowed.


RESOLUTION OF THE ROCKDALE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

WHEREAS, the Rockdale County Board of Education is responsible for annually providing the Rockdale County Tax Commissioner with the rate of the ad valorem tax levy on taxable property in the county that is necessary for the support, maintenance and operation of Rockdale County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Rockdale County currently offers multiple tax exemptions for its senior citizens that are low income, disabled, military veterans and qualified spouses; and
 
WHEREAS, the Board of Education wishes to demonstrate its support for additional tax relief for the senior citizens of Rockdale County; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education is aware that the tax levied upon residents for the support of Rockdale County Public Schools may pose a challenge to residents of Rockdale County that are aged 65 years or older, many of whom rely on fixed incomes; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education recognizes that the residents of Rockdale County that are aged 65 years or older are highly valued contributors to the Rockdale community.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Rockdale County Board of Education, that, pursuant to Georgia Constitution Article 7, Section 2, Paragraph 2(a)(2) and O.C.G.A.§ 28-1-14, the Board of  Education request that the Rockdale County Legislative Delegation to the Georgia General Assembly support and submit local legislation that calls for a referendum to be submitted to the qualified electors of Rockdale County on the question of:

1. Whether the current exemption from Rockdale County ad valorem tax for educational purposes be increased from $35,000 to $50,000 for citizens of Rockdale County aged 65 years old or older.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, and it is hereby resolved, by the Rockdale County Board of Education that it desires that the Rockdale County Legislative Delegation to the Georgia General Assembly support the aforementioned legislation to set a local referendum on the question of whether the current exemption from Rockdale County ad valorem tax for educational purposes be increased from $35,000 to $50,000 for citizens of Rockdale County aged 65 years old or older.

RESOLVED this day of 3rd of March, 2022, by the Rockdale County Board of Education at its special called meeting of the same date.