Waxahachie Council ups homestead exemption

WAXAHACHIE – The Waxahachie City Council said yes in a 4-0 vote at a recent special city council meeting to raise the city’s general homestead exemption.

The increase in the exemption will now be at 3.5% effective as of January, with a minimum exemption of $5,000.

Council had until the end of June to vote on this item for the increase – otherwise it would have remained at the current 1% determined by the city council during a vote last year.

The vote was not an immediate yes. 

Council voted twice before the 3.5% exemption was decided, once for a 2.5% increase and another at a 4% increase. 

Those two votes failed to pass with tie votes of 2-2 both times.

The Waxahachie City Council is not required to adjust the exemption each year, but council was cognizant of the need for residents to be given an additional tax relief.

Waxahachie homeowners who are 65 years and older or with disabilities also receive an additional $30,000 homestead exemption.