May 12, 2006 5:34 pm US/Central
DISD May Drop Homestead Exemption
by Bud Gillett
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
On the eve of the Dallas school board elections, the district is discussing whether to drop the optional homestead exemption. It would mean more money for schools, but higher bills for taxpayers.
The state allows property tax breaks for people in Texas who own the homes where they actually live.
Some taxing districts – like DISD – traditionally allow another optional exemption, but with money tight, the district is contemplating breaking with tradition.
"We're not accessing all the dollars we have available to us. In Dallas County, only three have homestead exemption: Dallas, Highland Park and Richardson," says DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa.
It was brought up again at a Thursday business briefing.
A $200,000 home, already paying $2755 in school taxes, would be charged another $334. For the district though, it could mean $25-30 million in new revenue.
Board president Lois Parrott, campaigning for re-election, rejects the idea.
It is a political hot potato. Parrott's opponent, Leigh Ann Ellis, declines to discuss it until after the election. CBS 11 News tried to reach as many candidates as possible.
Ron price, who's out of town, says by phone he hasn't seen the presentation and doesn't know enough about it to have a position on it.
His opponent, Bernadette Wright Nutall, says it's not fair to put more burden on taxpayers until business loopholes are closed.
Edwin Flores tells CBS 11 News he wants to make sure the DISD has its house in order and cuts out all other waste before asking taxpayers for more money.
Others were unavailable.
Much of what happens will depend on any property tax relief coming out of the legislature. The board has until June to act, but Hinojosa does not believe the board is seriously considering ending the optional homestead exemption.
(CBS 11 News)
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