property taxes

Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti says October property tax bills will include recent property tax relief measures separately approved by state, county, and city office holders, even though voters have yet to officially approve the state relief.

Also, Sheriff Javier Salazar asked commissioners to approve more than $3 million in overtime costs to staff the crowded jail from this past June through September, sparking more debate on how to reduce costs there.

The deal would channel $12 billion to reduce the school property tax rate for homeowners and business properties, increase the homestead exemption, and create a pilot program to reduce taxes on certain residential and commercial properties. The legislation is expected to pass later this week.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick usually agree on policy. But not this time.

This legislative session, the main priority for House Republicans has been easing the tax burden on Texas homeowners. The chamber’s spending plan earmarks $17 billion to cut the state’s appraisal caps in half.

Commissioners also selected Jacqueline Lamerson as interim chief public defender based on a committee recommendation, and they approved an interlocal agreement between the Texas DPS, the district attorney and sheriff’s department to fund an anti-gang center.

Residents of San Antonio can get other tips on lowering their property tax bills during a series of public workshops. The workshops will show homeowners the property tax exemptions available to them and how to submit an appeal to lower their property tax bills.

State tax systems are usually looked at as a three-legged stool — property taxes, sales taxes and personal income tax. In Texas, our “stool” only has two legs.

The budget bills filed Wednesday would also allocate $600 million to the Texas Education Agency to help school districts “in implementing school safety initiatives.”