Proposal would fund Franklin County home tax breaks with sales tax

Franklin County would exempt an amount of eligible homestead property value from county property taxes. It would cover a resident's homestead property located within the Franklin County special district. The measure would need a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers and approval by more than half of voters casting ballots on the question. The exemption amount would be determined each year based on net proceeds from the local sales and use tax. Property value above the exempt amount would remain taxable. A person generally would need to apply, but a person already receiving a county homestead exemption for the same property and still eligible would not need to apply again for this exemption. It would apply only to county taxes and would be added to other homestead exemptions. If approved by voters and given the required two-thirds vote in both chambers, the exemption would apply to tax years starting January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2039.

Franklin County would impose a 1 percent local sales and use tax. The tax would apply within the special district covering Franklin County. The measure would need a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers and approval by more than half of voters casting ballots on the question. The ballot question links the tax to funding the homestead exemption. The tax would run from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2037.