Mayor proposes bigger tax breaks for older Bibb County residents

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller plans to ask local state legislators to introduce a bill next session that would let voters decide whether older residents are entitled to property tax exemptions.

At a news conference Thursday, the mayor laid out the proposal, which includes a total property tax exemption for residents who are 85 or older. It also includes a graduating scale of property tax exemptions for residents ages 65-75 and 75-84.  

“I will be recommending to the commission to pass a resolution asking our local legislative delegation to introduce legislation that will establish a new homestead exemption on ad valorem and property taxes, not just for Macon-Bibb County, but for Macon-Bibb County and Bibb County’s public school system,” Miller said to a handful of reporters and a couple of county commissioners gathered in City Hall.  

Increasing homestead exemptions would cost the county and school district about $7 million over a five-year period, Miller said. 

“I have personally met with the leadership of the Bibb County School System, and I believe that they are very supportive of this obligation,” Miller said.

For residents 65 and older, the proposal would allow up to $34,000 in county and school district tax breaks, Miller said. Residents 75 and older would be eligible for a $64,000 property tax break.

“The senior citizens of Macon-Bibb County believe that they do not and should not have to pay school taxes,” Miller said, adding that many older residents are “already having a hard time making ends meet. 

“By providing tax relief, seniors are more likely to remain in their homes rather than to be forced out of their homes by selling or downsizing due to financial pressure. This stabilizes. It can help maintain a consistent neighborhood demographic, which often leads to steadier property values. Lower tax burdens can diminish the risk of foreclosure for seniors who might struggle to pay taxes especially on a fixed income.”

State House representatives for Bibb County met earlier this year but did not discuss in detail the mayor’s request for a charter amendment that would allow him a third term in office. 

Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, and Sen. David Lucas, D-Macon, did not immediately return requests for comment. 

Rep. Dale Washburn, R-Macon, said he is “certainly interested in reforming the property tax system and giving tax relief to our citizens who pay property taxes.”

Washburn said property taxation in Georgia is “a badly outdated system” and “long overdue for some change.”

“I am more interested in overall change that would address the problems with the system and I am working on some bills about that now,” Washburn said. “I will certainly look at his proposal when it comes if it passes the commission …  We’ll consider it.”

County commissioners are expected to vote on the mayor’s proposal in a resolution set to be introduced at Tuesday’s regular commission meeting.

If the resolution is introduced under the Gold Dome and passes, Macon-Bibb County voters will decide next November whether to allow the tax exemptions.