The Harris County Commissioners Court is slated to discuss and adopt tax rates and budgets for the 2026-27 fiscal year during its Sept. 17 meeting.
The overview
As the county faces a projected shortfall of about $180 million, commissioners are expected to set the tax rates and budgets for Harris County, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris Health system and the Port of Houston Authority, according to agenda documents. Commissioners are also set to discuss the budget for the Harris County Toll Road Authority.
The court will consider a 7.6% overall property tax rate increase, which commissioners discussed at their Sept. 8 meeting, per previous Community Impact reporting. The tax rate would add about $193 to the average homeowner’s property tax bill, Harris County Office of Management and Budget Director Daniel Ramos previously said.
The rates, recommended by OMB, would help the county balance its projected $3.09 billion budget. If passed, the property tax rate would be among the highest in the county’s recent history.
Commissioners are expected to make final changes and adopt the budgets and tax rates before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Also on the agenda
The court will consider approving a burn ban at the request of the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, according to agenda documents. The ban would take effect Sept. 17 and last at least 90 days or until the Texas Forest Service determines that drought conditions no longer exist in the county.
The National Integrated Drought Information System has marked Harris County as “abnormally dry,” a designation used to indicate areas entering or emerging from drought.
As of Sept. 14, 210 counties in Texas have instituted burn bans, according to the forest service.
The request would also temporarily ban the sale of “sticks and fins” fireworks, per the documents.
Before you go
Among several updates to precinct facilities, commissioners will also consider allocating an additional $1.77 million toward Precinct 4’s Tracy Gee Community Center renovation project. Construction for the center, which was built in 1983, is scheduled to be completed in October, according to agenda documents. It is one of seven community centers in the precinct.
The additional money, bringing the project’s total price to $19.77 million, would allow the building to be LEED-certified, which acknowledges “rigorous standards in sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility,” according to agenda documents.
Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston. The administration building is located at 1001 Preston St., Houston. Meetings are also available to livestream.
