Newnan Mayor James Shepherd is proposing a plan that would permanently eliminate city property taxes for nearly every owner-occupied home while restoring a lower property tax on businesses, rental properties, and other non-homesteaded property. Newnan homeowners currently pay no city property tax after voters approved a one-cent sales tax last November and the Newnan City Council used that revenue to offset the property tax rate. Shepherd said the current arrangement provides relief, but no permanent protection. “My goal is to keep property taxes at zero on every homestead in the City of Homes,” Shepherd wrote in a letter explaining the proposal. “Not this year. Every year, from now on.” Under the current system, a future council could restore property taxes on homes through the city’s regular millage-rate process. Shepherd’s proposal would instead create a large homestead exemption through state legislation and a local referendum. “A future city council could put your home back on the tax rolls with a few advertised hearings and a single vote,” Shepherd wrote. “Not a referendum. Not your signature. A Tuesday night vote by four people.” Georgia cities cannot generally impose different millage rates on residential, commercial, and rental property. They can, however, provide homestead exemptions for owner-occupied homes. Shepherd said during an interview this week at the Newnan location of The Oink Joint that the city could seek a homestead exemption of approximately $750,000…
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