Legislation proposed by Cherokee County's state delegation to freeze school property taxes has been withdrawn after receiving a chilly reception.

Cherokee's state lawmakers had filed local legislation that would freeze assessments for school district property taxes as well as those collected by the county government and the cities of Woodstock and Holly Springs.

The county and city bills are moving forward, but the school bill has been pulled from consideration, according to state Rep. Sean Jerguson (R-Holly Springs), who introduced the legislation.

The bills for the county and Holly Springs have been approved by the House and have moved on to the Senate. The Woodstock bill will be voted on in the House later this week.

All three bills, if approved by both chambers and signed by the governor, will then be put before the voters to decide on a referendum in July.

The school bill was pulled after state Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) removed her name from the legislation. Without her name, the bill lost the required support of a majority of the representatives. While Jerguson and state Rep. Mark Hamilton supported the bill, state Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) would not sign because of the school district's disapproval.

"We were having trouble communicating what the bill would do," Rep. Byrd said. "We had an uphill battle to fight."

Cherokee school officials were critical of the bill, arguing it would cut into funds used to operate local schools.

Legislators countered governments, like the school board, would not lose any revenue since they have control over setting the millage rate and could raise it to compensate for frozen assessments.

School officials were pleased their efforts - which included a plea to the governor - resulted in the bill's demise.

"I am relieved that it was pulled," school board Chairwoman Janet Read said. "It is definitely good news."

The school board still has concerns about other tax proposals being considered at the state level, said Mike McGowan, district director of public information, communications and partnerships.

"The most detrimental one was the local plan, and we are pleased that it has been removed from consideration," he said. "We are still concerned with other plans that are out there."

The House has passed a statewide bill that would freeze property values; cap assessment increases at 2 percent for residential property and 3 percent for non-residential property; eliminate ad valorem taxes on cars, trucks and motorcycles; remove a quarter-mill of state property tax; and fund a trauma network.

Jerguson said the statewide bill, which also would require the public's approval of a referendum, is a better proposal than his own.

"The local legislation only allowed us to deal with homestead property," he said. "[The state bill] does a lot more than can be done with the local legislation. We are still hoping we can put that on the ballot."

afuller@cherokeetribune.com

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