City of Brookhaven Homestead Exemption for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons (House Bill 1307, Act No. 555) (DeKalb County)

Last updated Sun, Nov 8, 3:15 AM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Brookhaven voters

What it does
"Shall the Act to incorporate the City of Brookhaven be amended so as to increase the current homestead exemption for senior citizens and disabled persons from $160,000.00 to $200,000.00?"
A YES vote means
Brookhaven's homestead exemption for senior citizens and disabled persons would increase from $160,000 to $200,000.
A NO vote means
Brookhaven's homestead exemption for senior citizens and disabled persons would stay at $160,000.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

  • Brookhaven's city charter (Section 5.09) gives residents who are disabled or are eligible senior citizens a homestead exemption of $160,000 of assessed value from City of Brookhaven property taxes for municipal purposes.
  • Separately, all Brookhaven homesteads have a general city exemption, which a 2019 local act raised to $40,000 of assessed value by tax year 2024.
  • The exemption applies only to city taxes, not to DeKalb County or school taxes.

If it passes

  • The senior and disabled exemption would rise from $160,000 to $200,000 of assessed value, effective January 1, 2027.
  • If voters reject it, the change does not take effect and the act is automatically repealed a year after the election.

Who would notice

Brookhaven homeowners who are disabled or qualify as eligible senior citizens, and the City's property tax revenue.

How it got here

The Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 1307 (sponsored by Reps. Roberts, Lupton and Holcomb), a local act amending Brookhaven's charter that requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber and approval by Brookhaven voters on November 3, 2026.

Written by SpectrumVote from 3 linked sources (1, 2, 3). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

This question comes from House Bill 1307 (Act No. 555), a local act of the Georgia General Assembly sponsored by Representatives Roberts, Lupton and Holcomb, which amends Brookhaven's city charter act.

According to the bill text, the City of Brookhaven exemption from municipal property taxes for disabled residents and eligible senior citizens would rise from $160,000.00 to $200,000.00 of assessed homestead value; if approved, the change takes effect January 1, 2027, and the cost of the election is borne by the city.

The city's 2026 millage rate presentation said the City would put the referendum on the November 3 ballot 'to help reduce the burden of the millage increase.'

The City Council's August 3, 2026 special called meeting agenda included a resolution requesting that the DeKalb Board of Elections call the special election, according to a city notice.

Put on the ballot by Georgia General Assembly, House Bill 1307 (Act No. 555, 2026), which requires the election; Brookhaven City Council resolution requesting the special election, August 3, 2026 meeting.

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Brookhaven Homestead Exemption for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons (House Bill 1307, Act No. 555) mean?
Brookhaven's homestead exemption for senior citizens and disabled persons would increase from $160,000 to $200,000.
What does a NO vote on City of Brookhaven Homestead Exemption for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons (House Bill 1307, Act No. 555) mean?
Brookhaven's homestead exemption for senior citizens and disabled persons would stay at $160,000.
Does this lower county or school taxes?
No. The exemption is from City of Brookhaven taxes for municipal purposes only.
When would it start?
January 1, 2027, if a majority of voters approve.
Who pays for the election?
The act says the City of Brookhaven bears the cost.
How many votes does City of Brookhaven Homestead Exemption for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons (House Bill 1307, Act No. 555) need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on City of Brookhaven Homestead Exemption for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons (House Bill 1307, Act No. 555)?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the DeKalb County ballot.

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