Members of Bexar County Commissioners Court said they are following through on a pledge to provide tax relief by adopting a property tax exemption worth up to 20% of an appraised home value.

Commissioners passed 20% exemption measure June 7. They also approved offering homeowners age 65 and older a $30,000 exemption on property taxes imposed by the Bexar County Hospital District, also known as University Health.

According to county officials, both new tax exemptions will apply to 2022 valuations, which the county said are subject to protests by numerous residents this year. The county’s hospital district exemption for seniors was set at $10,000 prior to the June 7 Commissioners Court meeting.

The Texas Association of Appraisal Districts said appraised property values have increased statewide between 10%-50% since last year.

“The homestead exemption has been long overdue, but particularly right now, it’s a critical time for our homeowners,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Marialyn Barnard said.

Bexar County officials said the 20% exemption would subtract about $60,000 from a home with a $300,000 appraised value, the current local median appraised value. In turn, that homeowner could save $174 on their yearly tax bill, county officials said.