Harris County commissioners will vote on a proposed $3.1 billion budget and higher property tax rates Thursday, Sept. 17, at 9 a.m. in downtown Houston. The decision directly affects Katy-area homeowners in unincorporated Harris County who depend on the county for roads, drainage, parks and public safety.

The proposed combined tax rate of about $0.67 per $100 of taxable value represents a 7.6% increase over the current rate. Office of Management and Budget Director Daniel Ramos said the hike would add roughly $193 to the average homeowner's annual property tax bill, Community Impact reported.

Commissioners Court advanced the rate in a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The county General Fund rate alone would rise from $0.38096 to $0.41750 per $100 of taxable value.

As we reported Sept. 9, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey proposed holding the rate flat. Budget officials told the court that doing so would mean roughly $243.6 million less in revenue. The proposal did not pass.

Why the increase is so large

General Fund departmental appropriations would jump 11.8% year over year, climbing from about $2.769 billion to $3.095 billion. County officials point to an 8.9% population surge in unincorporated Harris County between 2020 and 2025 as a key driver. More than 2 million people live in those areas, which include parts of Katy, Cypress, Spring and Humble where the county provides municipal-type services.

Certified taxable property value grew just 0.8% this year, a sharp slowdown from 12.4% in 2022 and 12.2% in 2023. The county also faces a roughly $100 million increase in employee healthcare costs and the wind-down of $915.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds that have been fully committed.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis called it "the toughest budget that I've ever worked on" at the Sept. 8 meeting.

$14.4 million in new programs

Commissioners added about $14.4 million in community program funding on Sept. 8. The additions cover public health response, violence prevention, domestic violence services, library funding, eviction defense, election staffing and other items.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said at the Sept. 8 meeting that the county is trying to "streamline and be more efficient" while facing "competing priorities and growth."

County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who voted against the rate increase, warned the budget relies on about $45 million in one-time funding. She said at the Sept. 8 meeting that the county is "patching the bullet hole with a Band-Aid for one more year," according to Community Impact.

What happens next

The rate exceeds the state comptroller's threshold for court-approved increases. If commissioners adopt it Sept. 17, Harris County voters would face a ratification election in November, Community Impact reported.

The Sept. 17 hearing begins at 9 a.m. at 1001 Preston St. in downtown Houston. The new fiscal year starts Oct. 1.