Spring-area homeowners could see their Harris County property tax rate climb from 62 cents to as high as 71 cents per $100 of assessed value after Budget Director Daniel Ramos proposed a 3-cent general fund increase to close a $129 million deficit at the Aug. 6 Commissioners Court meeting.

Commissioner Tom Ramsey, who represents Precinct 3 and the Spring area, called the potential hike historic.

"Please understand the tax rate that we will be considering in just a few short weeks is probably the greatest tax rate increase in the history of Harris County," Ramsey said at the meeting, reported by ABC13.

The general fund increase is only one piece. The Harris County Flood Control District is eyeing its own 3-cent increase, and Ramsey said the hospital district is considering the same. If all three taxing entities raise rates by 3 cents each, the combined rate would jump 9 cents. Spring sits in unincorporated Harris County, meaning residents pay into all three entities with no municipal government in between.

The county's FY2027 budget, projected at roughly $3 billion, is the largest in Harris County history, according to the county's official budget presentation. Property taxes account for 81.5% of general fund revenue. The biggest spending drivers: law enforcement costs up $79 million, inflation at $41 million, employee health insurance at $38 million and statutory legislation at $32 million.

Not every commissioner agrees the rate will climb that high. Commissioner Rodney Ellis disputed Ramsey's characterization, telling ABC13 he does not believe homeowners will see an increase adding hundreds of dollars to their tax bills.

Houston Public Media reported Ramsey cited a possible 68-cent rate if the hospital district accepts the voter approval tax rate, a lower figure than the 71-cent maximum scenario. The final number depends on decisions each entity makes separately in the coming weeks.

Constable pay jumps to $305,000

Commissioners also voted 4-1 on Aug. 6 to raise constable pay to $305,000, one year after it was raised to over $290,000. Since 2024, constable pay has increased more than 129%. For comparison, Travis, Tarrant and Dallas counties all reported 2025 constable salaries under $150,000. The court noted the constable pay increase must come from the General Fund, not from constables' office budgets.

The court also voted to increase pay for the county attorney, district attorney, district clerk, county clerk and tax assessor. The dissenting vote on the constable raise was not identified in public records reviewed for this report.

What's next

As we reported on the $129 million budget gap on Aug. 4, the shortfall has been looming over the budget process for weeks. Commissioners Court is scheduled to vote on the full FY2027 budget in September, with funds disbursed beginning in October. The county's budget survey, which asked residents whether they would support a tax increase, closed Aug. 7.

The budget office could not provide an estimate of how much more the average homeowner would pay under the proposed increases as of Aug. 6. Residents can follow the budget process through the county's Commissioners Court agendas on the Harris County Legistar portal.