Columbia County school board discusses using data center revenue for tax relief
The Columbia County School Board began discussing legislation that would use revenue from Google's data center to reduce the school portion of homeowners' property tax bills. The board voted 4-0, with one abstention, to continue developing the proposal, which would require state-level approval.
The Columbia County School Board has started a process to direct additional revenue from Google's data center toward property tax relief for local homeowners. The proposal would create homestead exemption credits using data center revenue, while allowing the board to transfer funds not returned to taxpayers into the school district's general fund.
Board members generally supported the goal but differed over the draft legislation and the pace of the process. District 4 representative Katie Allen abstained from a 4-0 procedural vote, arguing that the board was moving too quickly and needed to ensure the promised revenue was returned to taxpayers. Representative Gary Richardson is expected to advocate for the legislation at the state level, and no final legislation was approved at the meeting.