Humble city officials propose between 4.5%-6% raises for most employees

Humble city officials are proposing 4.5%-6% raises for most employees in the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget, with some employees receiving raises as high as 11%.

The details

Humble City Council members reviewed the city’s proposed budget for FY 2026-27 during the council’s Aug. 6 special-called meeting.

City Manager Jason Stuebe said the city’s general fund is projected to contain roughly $43.4 million in expenditures based on roughly $44.6 million in new revenue.

“The fiscal year [2026]-27 budget demonstrates the continued strength of the city's strong financial position, balances growing demands for service with available resources and allows us to continue attracting and retaining the very best public servants to execute our mission,” Stuebe said. “The fiscal plan ultimately reflects the city's core values, strategic initiatives, and policies that enable our ability to provide exceptional municipal services for our residents.”

A closer look

Stuebe said officials prioritized the city’s employees in their proposed budget.

“This administration desired to make every possible effort to focus our attention now on the city's greatest asset: our people,” Stuebe said.

Stuebe said all full-time employees would receive a 3% cost-of-living increase to their salaries in the FY 2026-27 budget. Additionally, he said most employees will be eligible to receive up to an additional 3% salary bump based on their performance.

“All employees, unless otherwise topped out, should see between a 4.5%-6% increase in their annual salaries, depending upon their performance evaluations,” Stuebe said.

Stuebe added that city police officers, dispatched crime scene investigators, jailers, firefighters, paramedics, and water and wastewater operations personnel—excluding administrative staff and departmental leadership—should see between a 9.5%-11% total increase to their salaries.

Additionally, Stuebe said the city is proposing additional opportunities for raises for public safety operational positions to allow for continued salary growth.

“This is, in effect, a stopgap measure that should cover us until we are able to complete our next scheduled salary survey, analysis and adjustments slated for FY [2028]-29,” Stuebe said.

In total, Stuebe said the new employee raises will cost the city roughly $1.8 million.

The specifics

Stuebe noted additional highlights in the proposed budget include around $12.7 million in road and drainage improvements, including road widening projects on South Houston Avenue, Meek Road and Manning Road.

Additionally, the city is projected to spend roughly $1.6 million in public safety investments for the city’s police, fire rescue and fire marshal departments, including new vehicles, drones, radios and additional equipment.

The city is also proposing roughly $7.7 million in water and wastewater improvements, including several waterline extension projects, generators at various facilities, and the repair and replacement of various existing systems, Stuebe said.

Mayor Norman Funderburk touted the city’s proposed budget.

“I feel really good about this budget,” Funderburk said. “It meets the needs of our community and addresses our stated priorities [of] public safety, infrastructure, drainage, flood mitigation and it addresses our employees.”

Also of note

Stuebe noted the budget is based on a proposed tax rate of $0.245682 per $100 valuation, down from last year’s rate of $0.258171 per $100 valuation.

Budget documents show the median taxable value of homes within the city rose from $117,579 in FY 2025-26 to $125,231 in FY 2026-27. According to budget documents, estimated tax bills for individuals living within the city’s boundaries will jump by $4.12, rising from $303.55 to $307.67. However, individual tax bills may vary depending on home values.

What’s next

The city will hold a public hearing before considering approving the FY 26-2027 budget at the council’s Sept. 10 meeting.