Walker County proposal ties home tax relief to sales tax proceeds

The proposal would exempt part of a qualifying home's assessed value from Walker County property taxes. It would cover a resident's homestead property in the special district within Walker County and county property taxes for all purposes. Any value above the exempt amount would remain taxable, and other applicable homestead exemptions could also apply. The measure would need a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the state legislature and approval by more than half of the votes cast in the county referendum. The exemption amount would be determined each year based on net proceeds from the local sales tax. A person generally would have to apply. Someone already receiving a county homestead exemption for the same home and still eligible would not have to apply again. If approved in the referendum, the exemption would start January 1, 2027, and apply through December 31, 2039.

The proposal would impose a 1 percent local sales tax in the special district. The tax would apply within the special district covering Walker County. The measure would need a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the state legislature and approval by more than half of the votes cast in the county referendum. The bill incorporates state rules for this type of sales tax. The tax would be imposed from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2037.