City of Tifton voters would decide on a homestead tax exemption funded by a new 1 percent sales tax

The act grants a homestead exemption from all city property (ad valorem) taxes, sized each year from the net proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) collected in the special district. It covers residents of the City of Tifton who live in the special district that matches Tift County, for homestead property in that district. Applicants file with the local tax official, except people who already get another homestead exemption from the same government and remain eligible, who do not need to reapply. Once granted, the exemption renews each year without application while the person lives there and stays eligible; the person must report if they become ineligible. It does not change taxes levied by other governments, and it applies only to the part of the property inside the special district. The act must receive a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House, and voters must approve it. The exemption would apply to tax years beginning January 1 after voter approval and ending December 31, 2039.

The city election superintendent must call and run an election asking voters to approve or reject the act, and the city pays for it. It covers voters of the City of Tifton who live in the special district, and the city election superintendent. The act takes effect only if more than half of the votes cast approve it; otherwise it does not take effect and is repealed 365 days after the election. Any voter can ask a court to force the superintendent to hold the election. The vote would be on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026. If voters approve, Section 1 takes full effect January 1, 2027.