The Waxahachie City Council on Monday approved a 7% general homestead exemption for ad valorem taxes, with a minimum exemption of $5,000 for the tax year beginning Jan. 1, 2024. City staff told the council the change is intended to provide property-tax relief for homeowners and that the fiscal impact has been incorporated into the draft budget.

City finance staff presented the proposal and reminded the council that state law requires a July 1 adoption deadline for such exemptions. Staff said the change increases the exemption from the current 3.5% to 7% and estimated a general fund impact of roughly $420,000 and a debt-service impact of about $260,000; those amounts were included in staff’s budget planning for fiscal 2025–26.

A council motion to adopt the 7% exemption, with the $5,000 floor, carried on a voice vote. Staff said the change will be reflected in the budget the council is scheduled to review on July 7.