Fort Bend County’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget brings a focus on public safety and new district courts approved by the 89th Texas Legislature.

What residents need to know

The nearly $760.31 million budget, approved at a Sept. 23 Commissioners Court meeting, marks a 3.92% increase from FY 2024-25. The budget includes $13 million for the Fort Bend County Drainage District.

Commissioners also maintained the county’s tax rate at $0.412 per $100 property valuation. The rate is below the no-new-revenue rate of $0.418595, which is the rate that would generate the same property tax revenue as the year prior, according to budget documents.

Additionally, commissioners maintained the drainage district’s tax rate at $0.01 per $100 property valuation, which sits below the no-new-revenue rate of $0.010121. This brings the total county tax rate to $0.422 per $100 property valuation.


Zooming in

The budget includes a 6.2% increase in public safety funding—totaling $145.42 million—including $123.97 million for the sheriff’s office and $7.35 million for the fire marshal, according to budget documents.

Other FY 2025-26 budget highlights include:
  • A 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all county employees hired before July 1
  • A new hotel occupancy tax budget
  • Two new district courts
  • 125 replacement vehicles and 20 new vehicles
The budget also funds 77 new positions—totaling $7.82 million—including 25 each for administration of justice and public safety, Fort Bend County Budget Director Pamela Gubbels said. New district court positions comprise 21 of the new administration of justice positions.


Another detail


The budget also lays out nearly $63.72 million in capital improvement projects over five years, including $38.4 million for FY 2025-26, according to budget documents.

Projects include:
  • $11.59 million in information technology projects
  • $11.23 in facilities maintenance projects
  • $1.3 million for a new Stafford engine firetruck
What else?

Additionally, commissioners approved a pay hike between 3% to 36.84% for Fort Bend County elected officials, with the highest raises going to county court and district court judges, according to agenda documents.

Toni Wallace, judge for County Court at Law No. 4, saw the largest increase from $171,000 to $223,300, although that also includes state compensation.


What they’re saying

Both County Judge KP George and Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers raised concerns with the size of the budget, saying it nearly doubled from $362.8 million in 2019. George dissented on budget and tax rate votes, while Meyers “supported reluctantly.”

“I am completely aware of the fact that we have growth and our county grew, but not double,” George said. “I recognize the continued growth and development of our county, and I believe that fiscal responsibility must remain our priority.”

What’s next


FY 2025-26 will begin Oct. 1, according to budget documents.