Referendum set for homestead exemptions

The City Commission has approved a call for a special election this November to expand several homestead exemptions. Homestead exemptions reduce property taxes for eligible homeowners by reducing the assessed value of their homes. Five separate questions will be posed on the ballot.

The first ballot question, which refers to Senate Bill 339, would increase the amount exempted for a basic homestead exemption from $20,000 to $25,000. The second question, referring to SB 340, would increase an existing exemption for homeowners over the age of 65 from $1,000 to $10,000. The third question refers to SB 341 which will remove an obsolete exemption from the books. The fourth question would create a new exemption for low to moderate income homeowners over age 62 per SB 342. The final question is an exemption from school property taxes for homeowners over the age of 65—an exemption that would expire in five years if it is not renewed by then.

Here is the wording of Decatur’s homestead exemption ballot questions:

Senate Bill 339, Act No. 382
Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $25,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of the City of Decatur?
( ) YES
( ) NO

Senate Bill 340, Act No. 383
Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes and from City of Decatur independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $50,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are 62 years of age or older and whose income does not exceed $25,000.000, and which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $10,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are 65 years of age or older?
( ) YES
( ) NO

Senate Bill 341, Act No. 384
Shall the Act be approved which repeals an obsolete homestead exemption for the residents of the City of Decatur?
( ) YES
( ) NO

Senate Bill 342, Act No. 385
Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes except for ad valorem taxes levied to pay interest on and to retire municipal bonded indebtedness in the amount of $15,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are 62 years of age or older and whose income does not exceed $50,000.00?
( ) YES
( ) NO

Senate Bill 343, Act No. 386
Shall the Act be provided which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for five years in the full amount of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 65 years of age or older?
( ) YES
( ) NO