Opt Out: Commissioners cast unanimous vote in exemption decision
Fannin County Post Two Commissioner Glenn Patterson stressed the commission board “went through all three meetings with an open mind” at the beginning of a special called meeting Tuesday morning, February 4.
Patterson was referring to the three public hearings, “Intent to Opt Out of Homestead Exemption.” Commissioners were accused of having their “minds made up” at one of those hearings.
Patterson said, “We did our research, looked internally, looked out,” in an effort to make the best decision for all Fannin County citizens. The research, and listening to the public, produced “evidence” opting out was the right choice.
Commissioners Patterson, Chairman Jamie Hensley and Johnny Scearce all voted to pass a resolution opting out of the exemption, which brought with it the laws contained in House Bill 581. This made the county the second local government to opt out, McCaysville making its choice the previous Thursday.
County commissioners determined the exemption law created multiple, expected problems for Fannin County in addition to multiple unknowns of what effects it would have.
“It just did not fit the county,” Scearce said at the hearing.
Hensley echoed that there are “too many ‘what if’s’ in something that is this important.”
Sheriff Dane Kirby, speaking from the audience, addressed the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) included in the bill. He pointed out that, if passed by voters, that tax would potentially reduce tax revenue even further than the rest of the bill. “It would not benefit Fannin County whatsoever,” he stated, to which commissioners agreed.
“This thing has the potential to cripple counties,” Kirby said.
Hensley pointed out the law is “a true loss to the Board of Education.” That body is scheduled to cast its opt out vote Thursday, February 13.
Following the opt out vote, County Attorney Lynn Doss said the commissioners have completed all the necessary steps: they’ve held three public hearings, and advertised those hearings properly both in the newspaper and on the county website.
The next step is to file the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office.