County attorney briefs commissioners on HB581 opt-out timing; no formal county action recorded

The Screven County Board of Commissioners discussed HB581, the Statewide Homestead Tax Exemption, during the Feb. 11 meeting but did not record any formal decision to opt out or opt in.

The County Attorney told the board the deadline to opt out had been extended. Commissioner J.C. Warren asked whether the choices of other counties would affect Screven County if those counties opted in or out. Commissioner Rosa Romeo responded that "the voters have already decided," according to the minutes. Earlier in the public-comment period, Allison Willis asked about HB581 public hearings and Joe Bohannon urged the county not to cut revenue and instead to increase it.

The minutes do not record any motion or vote by the board to opt out of HB581. The County Attorney's remarks note an extended opt-out deadline but do not specify the revised date in the transcript provided. The record therefore shows discussion and questions but no recorded direction to staff or final action on the statute at this meeting.

If the board intends to consider a formal opt-out, the minutes do not show a timeline or staff assignment; any further action would be recorded in future meeting minutes.