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Harris County tax increases included in budget
Three out of five Harris County leaders approved a historic increase in property taxes as part of the FY 2027 county budget. FOX 26's Leslie DelasBour breaks down the numbers and what supporting and opposing leaders had to say about the increase.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Harris County commissioners have made their votes on the proposed property tax rate increases intended to help close an estimated $181 million budget shortfall.
On Sep. 8, during Commissioners Court, there was a 3-2 vote to advance the proposed county property tax rate of up to $0.41750 per $100 of taxable value.
*Watch the live feed of Commissioners Court below.*
The commissioners voted on multiple taxes, including:
- proposed 2026 tax rate of $0.41750 per $100 of value for Harris County. Passed. 3 Ayes - 1 Nay from Commissioner Tom Ramsey. Judge Hidalgo stepped out.
- proposed 2026 tax rate of $0.05266 per $100 of value for the Harris County Flood Control District - Passed.
- proposed 2026 tax rate of $0.19528 per $100 of value for the Harris County Hospital District, dba Harris Health System. Passed.
- proposed 2026 tax rate of $0.00603 per $100 of value for the Port of Houston Authority. - Passed.
The tax rate adopted in 2025 for Harris County was $0.38096 per $100 of taxable value. That means the proposed county rate is approximately 9.6% higher.
When tax rates for Harris County and the other county-controlled taxing entities are considered together, the Office of Management and Budget says the proposal represents an overall increase of approximately 7.6%.
Hidalgo estimates the proposed rates could cost the average Harris County taxpayer about $120 more per year. The exact impact would depend on a property’s taxable value and any exemptions.
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Breaking down numbers for Harris County budget, potential tax hike
A public hearing and a vote are expected Thursday for a possible property tax raise in Harris County. FOX 26's Greg Groogan shares how supporting commissioners are defending the hike and how a finance expert is dismantling their defense.
Voted against the tax increase
What they're saying:
Commissioner Precinct 3 Tom Ramsey and Judge Hidalgo voted against advancing the tax rate during the last meeting.
Ramsey pushed to keep the county tax rate at its current level of $0.38096. Officials said that option could require approximately $243 million in budget cuts.
Hidalgo supported higher rates for Harris Health and the Harris County Flood Control District, but opposed increasing the county’s general fund rate.
She argued that Commissioners Court has repeatedly approved spending without identifying sustainable funding and is now relying on one-time money to preserve some programs.
"We are patching the bullet hole with a Band-Aid for one more year," Hidalgo said following the vote.
Commissioners also debated approximately $15 million for additional programs serving domestic violence survivors, veterans, at-risk youth and other groups.
Hidalgo said many of those services are worthwhile, but questioned how the county would continue paying for them in future budgets.
‘The budget is not perfect’
The other side:
Along with tax increases, the Harris County commissioners approved the $3.095 billion General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
The budget includes funding for County operations and services provided to residents across Harris County and funding for the Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County Toll Road Authority and Harris Health.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis shared a video on social media about his decision to support the FY 2027 budget.
Ellis says the budget isn't perfect, but he points blame to federal and state spending cuts.
"I know people are struggling. And you know what state and federal leaders are doing? They're cutting vital services and making it even harder to get by," says Commissioner Ellis. "Further local cuts would not make these needs disappear. And, if we cut these preventative services to save money today, we will wind up with more expensive emergencies tomorrow."
The Source: Information from this article was gathered from Harris County Commissioner's Court agenda, Harris County Office of Management and Budget, and previous FOX 26 reports.