June 21, 2022
Decision would affect Over 65 and Disabled Travis County residents
(Austin) — The Central Health Board of Managers unanimously approved a measure that recommends to the Travis County Court of Commissioners to increase the exemption amounts for Over 65 and Disabled Travis County residents by $10,000. The Board of Managers also recommended maintaining the homestead exemption amount at 20%, the maximum allowable by state law.
Central Health is Travis County’s hospital district and collects property taxes to pay for health care services for Travis County residents with low income and no access to health insurance.
The action increases the total exemption amount from $100,000 to $110,000 and would mean seniors over 65 and disabled Travis County residents will be able to claim greater exemptions amounts on their homestead property value and pay less in property taxes to the hospital district. The amounts correspond with the amounts recently approved by the Travis County Court of Commissioners for Travis County homeowners.
“Our board deserves a lot of credit,” said Mike Geeslin, President & CEO of Central Health. “They recognize some of the financial hardships our residents face and are keeping the rate in line with other taxing entities.”
The measure is scheduled to go before the Court of Commissioners for final approval June 28.
Central Health continues development of its FY2023 budget through the summer, with the Board of Managers tentatively scheduled to approve the budget Sept. 14 before final approval by the Travis County Commissioners Court Sept. 20.