An ad valorem tax exemption used by communities to potentially spur economic development was given the green light from Hays CISD leaders late last month.

By a 6-0 vote with one abstention March 27, the Hays CISD board of trustees approved implementing the Freeport exemption, which is a form of property tax exemption for certain manufacturing companies in the area. At-large trustee Sandra Bryant chose not to vote on the item.

The board rescinded a 1989 resolution that denied the exemption for Free...