House Republican leaders today will ask for reconsideration of a vote to raise the homestead exemption in Fulton County.

Democrats beat back the effort on Crossover Day last week that’s aimed at reshaping Fulton’s government.

The measure would double the homestead exemption to $60,000 but it’s is more than just a tax cut for property owners.

Rep. Ed Lindsey tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish with less revenue, the county would be forced to reduce its footprint.

“One of the chief criticisms that we’ve heard over the years in regards to Fulton County government is that it’s duplicated and bloated,” he says. “What we’re simply trying to do is bring it down to size so that it’s dealing with those vital countywide services that no other entity can provide.”

Lindsey says those services should include the county courthouse, the sheriff’s department, and Grady Hospital.

He says 90 percent of its residents live in Fulton’s municipalities which should be providing other local services.

“We think in the long run this is the most efficient way in dealing with an out of control Fulton County government in terms of its size and reach,” says Lindsey.

A change in a county’s homestead exemption requires two-thirds of the Legislature to approve it, and then local citizens would vote in 2014.

In the House, 120 votes are needed to pass the measure but it only received 119 last Thursday.  Lindsey immediately requested the House reconsider its actions so the measure wouldn’t die.  Monday’s vote will determine whether the measure will come up again for consideration later this session or next.

“We discovered last year with the Charter School Amendment that it’s awfully hard to get 120 votes,” he says. “It took us two tries to get that and it will take us two tries to get this, but we’re going to keep working at it.”

Several other bills dealing with changes to Fulton’s government have already passed the House this session including redrawing its commission districts, revamping its courts and elections offices and making its tax commissioner an appointed position.