Spring homeowners could see their Harris County property tax bills jump by $148 to $226 a year, and Sept. 8 is the day to tell commissioners what they think about it.
Harris County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing on proposed 2026 tax rates at its Tuesday, Sept. 8 session, with formal adoption of the FY27 budget to follow, the Office of County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, on X.
The hearing gives Spring-area residents their clearest window to weigh in before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
What's on the table
The proposed budget calls for roughly $3.1 billion in general fund spending. To close a projected shortfall that grew from $129 million in June to approximately $181 million as of late August, the county is considering raising its tax rate from 62 cents to 68 cents per $100 of assessed value, according to ABC13.
How much more a homeowner pays depends on which rate scenario commissioners adopt. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt's office calculated that an average $403,000 homestead would pay $188 or $220 more per year. ABC13, citing the county budget office, put the figure at $226 on a $400,000 home. KPRC2 reported the county portion would rise from about $1,202 to $1,350, a $148 increase.
The range matters. Property taxes account for 81.5% of the county's general fund revenue, according to county budget documents.
Commissioners divided
The court's five members are split. Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, who represents much of the Spring area, said in an Aug. 20 FOX 26 interview: "We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem."
Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones defended the increase in an Aug. 17 ABC13 interview, pointing to unfunded state mandates and federal service cuts squeezing the county budget. County Judge Hidalgo pushed back on that framing the same day, telling ABC13 that mandates and inflation alone do not account for the $300 million to $400 million in committed spending increases.
Major cost drivers in the proposed budget, according to county budget presentations, include $79 million for law enforcement, $41 million for inflation, $38 million for employee health insurance and $32 million for costs tied to state legislation.
How to participate
Residents can register to speak at the Sept. 8 Commissioners Court session through the county's online appearance request portal at appearancerequest.harriscountytx.gov. The court meets at 1001 Preston St., Suite 500, in downtown Houston. A specific start time for the Sept. 8 session had not been posted as of Wednesday, Aug. 26; residents can check the county's online agenda for updates.
