Proposal ties Fort Oglethorpe home tax breaks to sales tax

The measure would exempt eligible homes from some Fort Oglethorpe city property taxes. It would cover a resident's homestead in the special district that matches Catoosa County. It would apply only to Fort Oglethorpe city taxes and to property within that district. The exemption would depend on a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber and approval by more than half of the votes cast in the city election. The ballot describes a new 1 percent local sales tax in the special district; the exemption amount would be based on proceeds from that tax. A homeowner would need to apply unless already receiving a city homestead exemption for the same home and still eligible. After it is granted, the exemption would renew while the person occupies the home and remains eligible. The measure schedules a city election for November 3, 2026. If voters and both legislative chambers approve it, the exemption would apply to tax years from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2039.