The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees voted Tuesday night to increase the property tax exemption for senior citizens and homeowners with disabilities. The board set the exemption at $115,000 – up from $105,000 last year. The exemption for senior citizens and homeowners with disabilities is in addition to the standard $5,000 homestead exemption.

“ACC provides senior citizens many benefits beyond a very generous tax exemption,” says Dr. Barbara Mink, ACC board chair. “Seniors can take credit classes for free as long as there is space available, and the college helps ensure communities have a strong infrastructure in terms of healthcare workers and first responders.”

The $10,000 increase in the exemption is the maximum allowed by ACC board policy.

Trustees also set the college’s property tax rate at $0.0951 (9.51 cents) per $100 valuation for this fiscal year. The average homeowner’s property tax bill will decrease by almost $2 this year due to a decline in property values.

“While our property tax revenue will go down this year, we will continue meeting the needs of the community,” says Mink. “There will be no reduction in instructional programs or student services, even in this time of remarkable growth in enrollment.”

ACC’s tax rate remains among the lowest in the state; the state average community college tax rate is more than $0.15 (15 cents).