Bibb County School District votes to opt out of H.B. 581

The Bibb County Board of Education voted 8-0 Wednesday in favor of opting out of House Bill 581, allowing the district to maintain control of property tax rates in the county moving forward.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Board of Education voted 8-0 Wednesday in favor of opting out of House Bill 581, allowing the district to maintain control of property tax rates in the county moving forward.

H.B. 581 was approved in November’s election, gaining the support of 63% of Georgia voters. The bill, also known as the “Save Our Homes Act,” establishes a statewide homestead exemption. This means that property tax rates across Georgia would rely solely on the inflation rate for the next 50 years, barring a state referendum to undo the legislation.

“It’s very important to be good protectors of the monies allocated to us,” said Dr. Dan Sims, Superintendent of the Bibb County School District. “We understand that the tax base is critical to the functioning of a school district. So, this gives us more stability in the space of finances moving forward, not just for next year, but for the next 50 years in this arena.”

To opt out of H.B. 581, school districts have to advertise both their intention to do so and hold three public hearings for those who have questions, comments or concerns. The district held two hearings at the Bibb County Board of Public Education on Wednesday. A total of two residents not affiliated with the district were in attendance between the two meetings. Only one spoke out, Carolyn Hargrove, who says she’s been living in Bibb County for more than 50 years and has watched her children grow up in the school district.

Hargrove spoke about her support for the district’s decision to opt out.

“If people don’t want to pay taxes to educate the students in this county, if they think that’s expensive, then they should really try ignorance and see what you end up with,” Hargrove said. “I think the citizens of Bibb County deserve to put their faith in the school board. And I think our students deserve to have an excellent education.”

Just before the vote, Post 7 board member Daryl Morton said a potential decision to cut the Department of Education and looming tariffs could limit federal dollars directed toward public schools and increase the costs of resources the district needs to operate. Morton wanted to assure Bibb County residents that the decision to opt out of H.B. 581 is not due to the district being eager to raise property tax rates.

“We will do everything we can to keep your taxes as low as possible,” Morton said. “But in my view, we have no choice, given the financial chaos that is going on right now, but to maintain as much financial flexibility as we can.”

After the vote, Dr. Sims echoed those sentiments.

“By opting out of House Bill 581, a 50-year commitment, it gives us that increased level of certainty in the space of taxpayer funding being allocated to the school district,” Sims said. “So, it’s very important from that perspective. We don’t know what the future is going to hold, so everything that we can hold on to and that we can make a good decision on now, that just solidifies our future as a school district.”