Madison County would tie home tax relief to a sales tax

Madison County would exempt some homestead property value from county property taxes. It would cover residents' homestead property located within Madison County's special district and apply only to county taxes. A person must apply unless they received a county homestead exemption for the same property in the prior year and remain eligible. The exemption would be added to other applicable homestead exemptions. Any property value above the exempt amount would remain taxable. If approved, the exemption would apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2039.

Madison County would ask voters to approve the measure, which would impose a 1 percent local sales tax. Madison County voters would decide whether to approve the measure. The measure would take effect only if it receives a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber and more than half of county voters voting on it approve. If voters reject it or the election is not held as required, the measure would not take effect and would be repealed 365 days after the scheduled election. The referendum would be held November 3, 2026. If approved, the sales tax would run from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2037.