Harris County homeowners in the Katy area could pay roughly $97 more per year in property taxes under a proposed rate increase that commissioners discussed at a public hearing Tuesday, Aug. 18. Because Katy spans Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties, the proposed increase applies only to Katy-area properties located in Harris County.
The proposal would raise the county's overall rate from about 62 cents to about 68 cents per $100 of taxable value, a rate officials are describing as the Voter-Approval Rate, or VAR. On a median-valued Harris County homestead, the general county rate alone would add about $90 per year; when the proposed Flood Control District rate is included, the total climbs to about $97, according to Click2Houston.
For higher-value homes, the increase would be larger. ABC13 estimated the proposal could add about $226 a year to the bill for a $400,000 homestead.
The increase is part of a proposed $3.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 aimed at addressing a projected shortfall of approximately $178 million, according to Click2Houston. The county's budget has grown by roughly $1 billion since 2019, according to Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, as reported by The Texan.
At the Aug. 17 budget discussion, Ramsey called the proposed increase "the second largest increase in the history of Harris County."
Commissioners split on blame
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said about $300 million in additional costs stem from pay increases and other compensation commitments approved by commissioners, including a raise that set elected constables' salaries at $305,000. Commissioners approved that salary level earlier this year; since 2024, constable pay has risen more than 129%, according to ABC13.
Ramsey, a Republican, pushed back at Tuesday's hearing, saying the law-enforcement raises were "the right decision" and were not the sole contributor to the deficit.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, a Democrat, pointed to federal and state policy. Briones said changes to SNAP benefits under the federal "Big Beautiful Bill" had affected more than 130,000 Harris County families. She also said changes to the Affordable Care Act could leave more than 200,000 people without coverage.
Residents weigh in
Speakers fell on both sides.
One resident told commissioners, "I'm here to speak on behalf of fixed-income and working-class families against the tax increase that you are proposing." Another urged the court to fully fund a community safety office.
No commissioner committed to voting for the increase at Tuesday's hearing. Some have discussed tapping the county's rainy day fund, which holds approximately $320 million, as an alternative or supplement to a tax increase.
What's next
Commissioners are scheduled to take up the budget and proposed tax rates again on Sept. 8, with final adoption currently scheduled for Sept. 17. Residents can confirm meeting dates, agendas and public-comment opportunities on the Harris County Commissioners Court calendar.
