Residents ask for school-tax exemption referendum for seniors; county counsel says state approval required

Two Ben Hill County residents used public comment at the Jan. 3 meeting to ask the county commission to pursue a ballot referendum exempting residents 65 and older from paying school property taxes.

William Gleaton of 529 Bowens Mill Highway told the commission he continues to pay school taxes and requested that commissioners place a referendum on the ballot allowing citizens 65 and older to no longer pay school taxes. Ron Brown of 181 Buck Road said similar options exist in other counties and that any change should be voluntary; he asked whether a petition or a commission affirmation would be required.

County Attorney Nick Kinsley responded during the public-comment exchange that the request "needs State approval," and that the commission does not have legal recourse to place the measure on the ballot without state authorization. The exchange involved other audience members and county staff, but no formal direction or motion followed from the board during the meeting.

What happens next: Commissioners and staff did not adopt a path forward during the meeting; any effort to change tax obligations or put a local referendum on the ballot will require further legal research and likely state approval before the county could act.