Conroe officials seek to pass a historic property tax homestead exemption providing immediate relief to homeowners suffering from increases in assess

CONROE, TX -- Property taxes and the appraisal process are the domain of the Montgomery Central Appraisal District. Recently released property value projections from the Montgomery Central Appraisal District have homeowners in Conroe looking for answers. Higher real estate values are leading to significant increase in annual property assessments and have led to major concerns by citizens and Conroe’s City officials. “Our citizens need immediate and drastic relief considering these substantial increases in appraised values and it is our job as their elected leaders to do whatever we can to provide them with that relief. I am very concerned that some of our citizens will be taxed out of their homes,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Raymond McDonald. As a result, McDonald has been diligently working with the tax office and championing the City’s effort to pass the maximum homestead exemption allowed by law, a twenty percent exemption.

Tax Accessor-Collector Tammy McRae said, “Considering the rising values, especially in residential properties, and increased homestead exemption would certainly be a significant benefit to homeowners. I’ve been working closely with Mayor Pro-Tem McDonald and I’m thankful Conroe is leading the efforts to provide citizens some relief. This is almost ten times any exemption the city has provided in its history and the maximum allowed by law. I encourage all jurisdictions to follow the lead of Conroe officials and consider granting the maximum homestead exemption.” Mayor Jody Czajkoski and Mayor Pro-Tem McDonald were both on the city council in 2020 when the council voted to pass the first ever homestead exemption for the city but that was only at 2.5%.

Mayor Czajkoski said, “I understand our citizens are outraged and shocked by these recent valuations. I am also experiencing sticker shock as my own home in downtown Conroe which my family purchased last year was appraised on the tax rolls at time of purchase at $224,680. My proposed tax value for this year is $660,650, almost a 300% increase. I did what I am encouraging any citizen with concerns over their recent appraised value to do - protest. However, with these historic increases in appraised values, protesting is not enough, the city must do our part. Mayor Pro-Tem McDonald has championed the effort to bring this historic exemption before council and I am confident that our current council will vote in favor of granting this historic relief.”

The council will vote on increasing the current exemption from 2.5% to 20% at the next city council meeting. Property owners have the right to protest the appraisal given their property, by writing, online or in person challenges. For more information on property tax issues visit the Montgomery Central Appraisal District at www.mcad-tx.org or call 936- 539–7897.