By Sahar Chmais
Hays County commissioners decreased the tax rate by 8% for FY22, but that rate drop still means increased taxes on homeowners as home values continue to rise.
As tax payments continue to increase for residents, State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) introduced HB 115 to provide relief to homeowners.
“In Hays County, which is the second fastest growing county in the nation, homeowners are painfully aware of rising housing costs,” Zwiener said. “When property valuations increase at such a rapid pace, tax bills follow, and homeowners are forced to choose between leaving their homes and other financial sacrifices. Skyrocketing tax bills are unmanageable for homeowners and force many to relocate outside of their community.”
HB 115 would double the homestead tax exemption from $25,000 to $50,000. For Hays County residents, that could mean savings between $260 to $350.
This year’s tax rate will be 38.67 cents per $100 valuation – the lowest adopted rate since 1990.
Before commissioners unanimously approved the tax rate, one resident weighed in on the matter.
“This is my final plea to get to y’all,” said resident Dan Lyon, who religiously attends Commissioners Court. “I believe we need to drop the rate a lot lower than that. My valuations went through the roof. That’s why I want to drop the rate further… you are making people lose their homes.”
According to the latest appraisal report, the average home in Hays County was valued at $280,872 last fiscal year. But a 12% increase in valuations means the average home in Hays County for FY 2021-22 sits at $314,038.
This means that the average homeowner will pay an extra $33.08.
The county will raise more revenue from FY2021-22 than the previous year by over $600,000, or 0.63% – raising a total of $4.6 million.
