Social Circle homeowners would get tax relief with enactment and voter approval

Social Circle would exempt part of an eligible home’s assessed value—the value used to calculate taxes—from city property taxes. Only eligible homes and portions of property within Walton County would qualify. Relief would cover Social Circle’s city property taxes only. The proposal would need a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber, become law, and receive more than half the votes cast by Social Circle voters living within Walton County. The exempt amount would be determined annually from local sales-tax proceeds. The proposed ballot describes a 1 percent Local Homestead Option Sales Tax. Home value above the exempt amount would remain taxable. This exemption would add to other home exemptions. If voters rejected the proposal or the required election did not occur, the exemption would not take effect. The act would automatically be repealed 365 days after the scheduled election date. The vote would be scheduled for the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2026. With voter approval, the exemption would start January 1, 2027, and cover tax years through December 31, 2039.

Homeowners or their agents would generally apply to the local tax official, who would check eligibility. The rules would cover people seeking or receiving this Social Circle home exemption. These rules would apply only if the proposal became law and voters approved the exemption. No new application would be needed for someone who previously applied for another city home exemption, received it the immediately preceding tax year, and remained eligible for it on the same home. Recipients would have to notify the local tax official if they became ineligible. Once granted, the exemption would renew each year while the recipient occupied the residence as their home and remained eligible.

Social Circle’s election official would have to hold the required vote, and eligible city voters could ask a court to enforce that duty. The vote and right to seek a court order would cover Social Circle voters residing within Walton County. The election requirement would apply if the proposal became law. A voter could seek a court order if the election official failed or refused to comply. If the court found noncompliance, it would order the election. Social Circle would pay the election costs. The election would be scheduled for the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2026. A court could require that date or the next date allowed for special elections.