By N. Bradford
A discussion on raising the City of Pearland’s homestead exemption — currently at 2.5 percent — will probably happen this fall, city officials say.
“The City of Friendswood has found a way to be at 20 percent,” Alex Kamkar told fellow council members during an August discussion. “The City of Katy has increased their homestead exemption. The City of Waco this last year went to the max. We are not the only city that has costs.”
Mayor Kevin Cole said he hopes to have a discussion on raising the exemption this fall.
“This time last year, we talked about the homestead tax exemption. I asked to bring it up at the strategic planning workshop in February,” Cole said. “It was not mentioned a single time that day. We’ve got some promises and assurances we will have that discussion come October.”
Cole did note that savings provided by raising the homestead exemption would have to be made up somewhere else, including businesses, or through tax increases.
“There is an offset — not saying we shouldn’t do it,” he said.
It was clear on Monday that the council has different views on the topic.
Councilman Rushi Patel said raising the exemption to 20 percent would hurt businesses.
“For $38 a year savings, we’re going to destroy the businesses,” he said.
