Harris County Department of Education’s board of trustees on Sept. 16 adopted a recommended tax rate rate of $0.004993, a slight decrease from the current tax rate and the sixth year in a row of rate decreases.

The fiscal year 2020-21 tax rate will be down from a rate of $0.005 in 2019-20.

For the average homestead valued at $182,484, that means a tax bill of $9.11 to support the department, which offers after school programs, therapy services, adult education and a Head Start program in addition to professional development for educators. HCDE works with the 25 school districts that fall within Harris County.

“Our business model has allowed us to continue to reduce the tax rate,” HCDE Superintendent James Colbert Jr. said in a news release. “That’s a testament to the quality of services provided to our clients."

Actual taxes paid varies by property value. Despite the lower rate, the department expects to generate about 3% more tax revenue in fiscal year 2020-21, with $25.19 million compared to $24.44 million in 2019-20. Its total budget is $162.4 million.