In addition to making steady progress to implement the promised 20% homestead exemption, the city (and county) should adopt a tax freeze on homes of owners who are over age 65 or disabled, like presently exists for school taxes.  That is the way to protect people on fixed incomes from being run out of their homes from rising property taxes.  It is a step against gentrification, particularly in areas (such as East Austin) where market values of homes have skyrocketed more than other areas while owners in those areas lack the income to keep up with the tax increase they face.  After the first year these exemptions are adopted, the City budget—even at the rollback rate—does not lose a dime of revenue; the tax is just shifted to the non-homestead, basically commercial property.  Human needs should always be prioritized over private for-profit needs.