Montgomery County Approves 10 Percent Homestead Exemption

CONROE, TX -- Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal said he is pleased commissioners were able to agree on a sensible 10-percent homestead exemption during Tuesday's commissioners court meeting, and plans to ask commissioners to consider offering a 1-cent tax decrease in debt service.

“I am proud of our court that we came to an agreement on a homestead exemption of 10 percent this year,” Doyal said. “We will need to continue our work in subsequent years until we hit the 20 percent allowed by law.”

The court did consider a 20-percent homestead exemption, but the measure fell 3-2, with only Commissioner James Noack and Commissioner Jim Clark voting in favor.

“It has always been my charge to reduce taxes and I believe we are headed in the right direction” Noack said.

The proposed 10-percent exemption and tax rate cut will reduce the county tax payment for the average Montgomery County homeowner--with a home value of $268,685--by about $150. It would be the sixth tax cut in 11 years.

The homestead exemption, the tax rate cut, and other matters will be taken up by the county’s budget committee Thursday as the county starts its budget process.

Doyal said one of the goals of the committee will be to identify further savings and budget cuts while protecting core, essential county services such as law enforcement and mobility.

“We will balance tax relief with responsible growth,” Doyal said, using criteria supported by the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation. The foundation has stated government should not grow faster than the rate of inflation and population growth combined.

Here are the principles which will guide our budget process:

Conservative Budget Management – Setting a goal to not grow county government more than the growth of our county population and the inflation rate – a standard accepted as fiscally conservative by most pro-taxpayer organizations.
Property Tax Relief – Continue to provide property tax relief,in the form of:

• A 1-cent tax cut in debt service.
• An additional 10 percent homestead exemption

No Elected Official Raises – Place a hold on elected official salary increases or cost of living allowances this year.

Funding Core Services and Responsible Government – Ensure vital county services are funded and that the county is prepared to meet the challenges of a growing county. Those vital services include:

• Law enforcement
• Mobility (including maintenance of county roadways and new road projects)
• Conservative debt management

"It makes good sense for our great county, respects our taxpayers, and will ensure Montgomery County can continue to lead by example," Doyal said

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