Rockdale BOE passes resolution to give seniors more relief from school property taxes

CONYERS, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Education approved a resolution during a special called meeting on Thursday, March 3, to increase the exemption senior citizens currently receive for school property taxes.

Five Board members approved the resolution, one opposed, and one Board member was not in attendance.

Under the measure, which was recommended by RCPS Superintendent Terry Oatts, the exemption would increase from $35,000 to $50,000 for seniors ages 65 years and older. Changing this exemption for seniors would be the largest exemption allowed, RCPS officials said.

“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.

State legislators must approve the measure for a referendum that would be decided by county voters to provide seniors with the additional tax relief.

Currently, there are several exemptions available to citizens with special circumstances and for seniors starting at 62 years of age.

Following is the resolution approved by the Rockdale County Board of Education on March 3, 2022:

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.