ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - For the first time in 45 years, some property owners in Lowndes County will be provided with much-needed tax relief.

House Bill 581 has been a hot topic throughout Georgia. The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners and the local school board voted to opt out of 581, which allowed them to create special exemptions for people over 65.

“As staff, we were charged with going back and looking at our digest, and looking at our budgets, and really sharpening our pencils, and coming back to not just the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners but the school board with a meaningful impact to provide citizens with some tax relief,” said Paige Dukes, Lowndes County manager.

As a result, Lowndes County increased exemptions from $10,000 to $40,000 for ages 65 and up.

Those over 70 will see a $60,000 exemption. These new changes will provide relief for the taxpayer while supporting educational facilities.

“We came together as two bodies that moved into what was really a historic moment to give us tax relief, while also making sure that this community continues to have the infrastructure that draws people that want to live here and educational facilities that makes people want to raise your children here,” said Sandra Wilcher, Lowndes County superintendent.

All local governments and school boards have until March 1 to decide what they will do, and if they opt out, it will go to the state for approval.

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