Spring homeowners face about $193 more per year in property taxes if Harris County commissioners approve a 7.6% rate increase at their Thursday, Sept. 17 meeting.

The Commissioners Court is set to hold a public hearing and take a final vote on the fiscal year 2027 budget and tax rates at 9 a.m. at 1001 Preston St. in downtown Houston.

The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

The proposed combined tax rate across all county-controlled entities is about $0.67 per $100 of taxable value, according to Community Impact. That would be higher than every combined rate in the county's budget comparison covering 2017 through 2025. The previous high was about $0.63 in 2017 and 2018, according to My Neighborhood News.

The increase would help close a projected $181 million budget shortfall in the county's $3.09 billion spending plan. County officials cited healthcare spending, reduced federal funding and overspending as factors, Fox 26 reported. County Administrator Erica Lee Carter also pointed to state-imposed mandates and a growing population. Harris County's per-employee healthcare cost alone is projected to jump about 25%, from $20,228 to $25,342.

Commissioners voted 3-2 on Tuesday, Sept. 8 to advance the proposed rates. County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey opposed the measure. Ramsey had pushed to hold the county's general fund rate flat at $0.38096 per $100, a move budget officials said would mean roughly $243.6 million less revenue than the higher proposal.

Hidalgo, who is not seeking re-election in November, warned at the Sept. 8 meeting that the budget relies on $45 million in one-time funding for programs that will need recurring money. "We're patching the bullet hole with a Band-Aid for one more year," she said.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who motioned to approve the rate, called it the toughest budget he has worked on. Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said the court is trying to balance efficiency with growing service demands across unincorporated Harris County, where more than 2 million people live. Spring is part of that unincorporated area.

Burn ban and fireworks restriction

The same meeting includes a vote on a countywide burn ban requested by the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office. If approved, the ban would take effect Thursday, Sept. 17 and last at least 90 days or until the Texas Forest Service determines drought conditions have ended.

The National Integrated Drought Information System has classified Harris County as "abnormally dry." As of Sept. 14, 210 Texas counties already had burn bans in place. The proposal would also temporarily prohibit the sale of certain fireworks classified as "sticks and fins."

Community center funding

Commissioners will also consider adding $1.77 million to the renovation of Precinct 4's Tracy Gee Community Center. The extra money would bring the project's total cost to $19.77 million and allow the 1983 building to earn LEED certification for energy efficiency and sustainability. Construction is scheduled to wrap up in October.

The Thursday, Sept. 17 meeting can be watched via livestream at agenda.harriscountytx.gov.