The Harris County Commissioners Court is slated to discuss the proposed budget and tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year during a special meeting Sept. 8.
At a glance
Commissioners are expected to make amendments to the proposed $3.096 billion budget, which was presented to the court Aug. 18. The court will also review the proposed tax rates and potentially set them as the county faces a $181 million shortfall. The court oversees tax rates for the county, Harris County Flood Control District, Harris Health System and Port of Houston Authority.
The county’s Office of Management and Budget has proposed a tax rate of about $0.67 per $100 of property valuation, a 7.6% increase from last year, according to an agenda document. This exceeds the state comptroller’s limit for court-approved tax raises, meaning county residents would vote on the increase in November if the court greenlights the proposed tax rates.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis has already announced his intention to request an allocation of $4.5 million for community safety programs and strategies.
What they’re saying
In a meeting with reporters Sept. 1, Ellis said the county is facing a “tough budget cycle.”
“[It was] partly created because the state forced us into a structural deficit,” he said. “It makes it harder for us to serve families who struggle to make ends meet, but Harris County is continuing to grow.”
The state legislature passed a bill in 2019 that capped Harris County’s revenue, limiting the funding the county can collect from property taxes without voter approval. About 80% of the county’s revenue comes from property taxes, Ellis said.
In an email newsletter to constituents Sept. 3, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said he will push for the court to spend within its means.
“I believe we could pass a flat tax rate this year, if we focus [on] funding statutory responsibilities and stop expanding government services and bureaucracy,” he wrote.
Also on the agenda
Commissioners will consider a 30% raise for County Treasurer Carla Wyatt. An all-citizen committee recommended increasing her pay to $181,411 annually during a meeting Aug. 20.
A salary increase would follow suit with the pay bumps the court approved for 13 other elected officials in August. The county’s elected constables, the district attorney, county attorney, district clerk, county clerk and tax assessor-collector will earn $305,000 annually.
The consideration comes as the court is planning to seek legislative approval to eliminate the treasurer's office permanently.
Commissioners will take the recommendation under advisement, but they are not obligated to approve the raise.
Before you go
Commissioners are expected to adopt a new budget and set tax rates during or before its Sept. 17 meeting. The next fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
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 here.
