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Beyond the candidates for the White House, Congress, and state and local elections, Troup County voters will face several other questions through referendums and potential state constitutional amendments.

While we aren’t here to tell you how to vote, some may be confused about the amendments as they are filled with legalese. Here is a primer to help you make your decision for the voting booth.

 

GEORGIA AMENDMENT 1

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a statewide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures?”

The amendment isn’t exactly clear, but you’re essentially voting on whether to cap the increase on your home property tax by the statewide inflation rate. The measure only applies to a single home where the owner/occupants live, and it does come with caveats.

First, it gives local governments the option to opt out and instead place their own limits on property taxes for homeowners. So, if your city, the county or the school board chooses to opt out, the change will not affect you.

Secondly, if local governments choose to opt in, the amendment would allow them to assess a one-penny Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) to offset the lost property tax revenue.

 

GEORGIA AMENDMENT 2

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for the Georgia Tax Court to be vested with the judicial power of the state and to have venue, judges, and jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts?”

 This amendment would essentially establish a new court, the Georgia Tax Court, to handle tax-related cases. Currently, the Georgia Tax Tribunal, an administrative court, handles tax disputes. The amendment would move the tax tribunal would transition to the judicial branch, and the new court would have the authority to hear appeals and other tax-related issues.

 

GEORGIA REFERENDUM A

“Do you approve the Act that increases an exemption from property tax for all tangible personal property from $7,500.00 to $20,000.00?”

 This referendum would allow businesses and individuals to exclude up to $20,000 worth of tangible personal property from being taxed rather than the current $7,500. The change would likely show significant property tax reductions for most Georgia homeowners and businesses but would reduce property tax revenue for local governments, which could then increase millage rates to make up the difference.

 

LOCAL REFERENDUM

“Shall the governing authority of Troup County be authorized to issue licenses to sell distilled spirits for beverage purposes by the drink, such sales to be for consumption only on the premises?”

 This local referendum would allow liquor drink sales in the unincorporated areas of Troup County, where it is currently forbidden.

Currently, all three cities in Troup allow poured alcohol sales, but only beer and wine are allowed in the county. The referendum was requested by a contingent of business owners in the county and approved for the ballot in July.

This measure would only allow for on-premises drink sales and would not allow for package stores in unincorporated areas of the county.