On June 8, City Council approved an ordinance increasing the homestead exemption from $75,000 to $100,000 of appraised value for 65+ and disabled homeowners. Council did not engage in discussion about a proposal submitted by Alex Warmath which requested consideration of lowering the property tax rate (ad valorem) for all property owners, not just seniors and disabled. But, Council did state there would be more detailed discussions on this during the August budget workshop.

Residents who are concerned about recent property tax appraisals (which have significantly increased from last year) will have opportunities to voice their opposition to any increases above the no-new-revenue rate in August. 

August 5 is the date City Council will discuss the city’s tax rate.  If the city proposes to adopt a rate which is above the no-new-revenue rate, the council may also vote on that date.  August 24 is the scheduled date for budget adoption. City personnel have indicated the proposed budget will be posted on the Shenandoah website on June 14 for public review.  

Last year, Council adopted an effective tax rate that was 3.57% above the no-new-revenue rate with Councilmen Raymaker, Escoto, Bradt and McLeod voting in favor, and Fletcher opposing.   

Many county officials are calling on citizens to press government decision makers to adopt or lower the the 2022 no-new-revenue rates in their agencies. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keogh stated in an April  Facebook post: “If your taxing entities, Montgomery County being one of many, don’t lower their adopted tax rate you will see a tax increase. I’m confident Montgomery County Commissioners and myself will be setting the example again for all the other jurisdictions by lowering our rate significantly to off set the increase.”

Montgomery County chief Tax Accessor-Collector Tammy McRae has also stated publicly that residents should go to taxing jurisdictions to express concerns with tax rates.