NIL

From tax breaks to redevelopment plans

Published

8 months ago

May 17, 2025

While statewide bills usually take the spotlight in each session, lawmakers also approved bills that could affect Central Georgia closer to home.

MACON, Ga. — With Georgia’s 2025 legislative session in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts to bills coming across Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk. Among them are bills related directly to Central Georgia counties and cities.

Some of the highlights include homestead exemptions for seniors, county and city redevelopment plans, and the establishment of new county authorities.

13WMAZ compiled a list of the possible changes along with other legislation directly impacting Central Georgia. Here’s a look at the new Central Georgia bills that were approved by Gov. Kemp.

Homestead Exemptions

What is a homestead exemption?

A homestead exemption is a break on property taxes usually offered by a city, county, or state agency. Homeowners generally must apply for the exemption for it to take effect.

Dublin City Schools

Gov. Kemp signed a bill Wednesday that allows the City of Dublin to call an election to determine whether seniors will get a round of homestead exemptions. According to the bill text, these exemptions would only apply to property taxes issued by the Dublin City Schools system for tax years 2026 to 2030.

If voters approve the exemptions in a Nov. 4 election, Dublin homeowners over the age of 62 would be eligible for one of the following exemptions.

Ages 62-24: $7,000 taken off of home’s assessed value

Ages 65-72: $14,000 taken off of home’s assessed value

Ages 73-79: $21,000 taken off of home’s assessed value

Ages 80+: Full exemption

Homeowners must apply with the City of Dublin if they would like to receive an exemption.

Peach County

Also signed into law Wednesday is a homestead exemption that would give all Peach County homeowners 10% off of their home’s assessed value. The bill mandates Peach County provide an application, and all homeowners who would like to be eligible for the exemption must apply. If voters approve it Nov. 4, the exemption would auto-renew each year as long as the homeowner stays at their current address.

Jasper County

A round of homestead exemptions in Jasper County may also go into effect as long as voters approve them Nov. 4. This bill would give Jasper County homeowners ages 65 and up a $40,000 exemption on their home’s assessed value — for taxes assessed by the county school district. Like the other exemptions, homeowners must apply, unless they have received an exemption before. It would renew automatically each year beginning in 2026.

Butts County

Butts County wants to update its existing homestead exemption for seniors. Its original exemption from county ad valorem taxes was established in 2001, and provided homeowners 62 and older up to $4,000 off of their home’s assessed value for tax purposes. Now, the county aims to change that to $20,000. It would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026 as long as voters approve the measure Nov. 4.

New County Authorities and Changes to Existing Positions

Dodge County

The state legislature approved a new Dodge County authority to head up building and public facilities. The Dodge County Building and Public Facilities Authority will acquire property, build county facilities, maintain them, and run other county projects. The five-member board would be elected by the county commission, with a maximum of two commission members eligible to serve on the board.

Board members would serve three-year terms that would start the day commissioners elect them. Additionally, board members would not be paid.

Butts County

Lawmakers approved a bill abolishing the county surveyor position as a countywide elected office. Instead, county commissioners will appoint a surveyor each year.

Changes to City and County Operations

Cochran

Tuesday, Gov. Kemp signed into law a measure that changes Cochran’s city limits. City limits will be extended to include State Route 23. Bill sponsor Rep. Danny Mathis of Cochran called it a ‘spoke annexation,’ which means only the road is included in the plan. Homeowners and business owners who live in the areas around the new city limits may choose to become part of the city, but Mathis said it is not required.

Mathis said the purpose of the expansion is so the city could use the road to run utility lines to the industrial park nearby.

Toombs County

Wednesday, the governor approved a bill that allows for Toombs County voters to decide what powers the county has for redevelopment. If voters approve the measure Nov. 4, the county would be allowed to create special tax districts and issue bonds that would help drive development within county limits.

Lyons

Gov. Kemp signed a similar bill for the City of Lyons in Toombs County. Voters will also decide on this measure Nov. 4.

NIL

One-on-one with Nixa High School football star Jackson Cantwell and agent Drew Roesenhaus

Published

40 minutes ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NIXA, Mo. (KY3) – It’s a new era of college football. And Nixa High School offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell finds himself in the middle of it.

The Ozarks Sports Zone’s Danielle King sat down with Cantwell and his agent Drew Rosenhaus to discuss his recruitment and managing NIL.

Check out the latest high school sports coverage on the Ozarks Sports Zone by clicking here.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.

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NIL

San Diego State EDGE Ryan Henderson plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, San Diego State EDGE Ryan Henderson plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Henderson just finished his fourth season with the program, putting up the best campaign of his career. He now goes onto the open market in what should be his final season of eligibility.

Henderson did not play for the Aztecs during the 2022 season as a true freshman, opting for a redshirt. Since then, he has taken the field in 33 games, three of which were starts. Forty-five tackles have followed, adding 12.5 tackles for a loss, and 10.5 sacks. You can even add a forced fumble and fumble recovery in there.

There is no doubt about which season was Henderson’s best, though. San Diego State saw him break out this past fall with nine tackles for a loss and seven sacks. Five of those sacks were in Mountain West play, with the other two coming in nonconference vs. Cal and Northern Illinois.

Henderson played high school football at North Las Vegas (NV) Canyon Springs, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 1,289 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

A few other Mountain West schools came after Henderson during his recruitment. Arizona, then a member of the Pac-12, extended an offer during his senior season. However, he stuck with San Diego State and signed with the Aztecs.

Fast forward to the present and Henderson is on the move for the first time in his career. Finding productive pass rushers can be a chore at times for teams. Henderson can pull up what he accomplished in 2025 to prove he is someone to watch moving forward.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

More on San Diego State, 2025 season under Sean Lewis

This was year No. 2 of San Diego State under head coach Sean Lewis. An incredible turnaround took place, flipping the record’s numbers year-over-year. After the Aztecs finished 3-9 last season, they went 9-3 in 2025.

A spot in the New Mexico Bowl was earned, facing a near-College Football Playoff team in North Texas. However, San Diego State did find itself on the losing end.

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