Spring-area residents can weigh in on Lone Star College System's proposed property tax rate at a public hearing Thursday, Oct. 1, at 10:30 a.m.

The Lone Star College System (LSCS) Board of Trustees will hold the hearing at LSC-University Park, Commons Grand Hall, 20515 SH 249, Houston. Residents can attend in person or join via Zoom using Meeting ID 827 6128 0653 and passcode 999845. Registration is required by 10:25 a.m. on Oct. 1, according to the college system's hearing notice. The registration form is available at lonestar.edu/BoardCitizenRegistration.

Trustees are expected to vote on the rate after the hearing.

The proposed total tax rate for fiscal year 2026-27 is $0.1058 per $100 of assessed property value. That is $0.0002 lower than the current rate of $0.1060, according to Community Impact, which first reported on the proposed rate Sept. 17. The rate includes a proposed Interest and Sinking (I&S) component of $0.0219 per $100 valuation, aimed at paying down $404 million in outstanding bond debt from a $485 million package voters approved in November 2014.

Kristy Vienne, LSCS vice chancellor of finance and administration, said at the board's special Sept. 16 meeting that the rate would allow the system to "pay an additional $60 million toward our debt obligation, generating a net savings of approximately $32 million long-term to taxpayers."

LSCS says its rate is among the lowest of Texas community college districts, which averaged $0.1606 statewide as of fiscal year 2025-26.

The board approved a $577.5 million balanced budget for fiscal year 2027 at its Aug. 6 meeting. That budget estimates $263 million in local tax revenue based on the proposed rate and an 8% homestead exemption.

Enrollment also hit a milestone in fall 2026. LSCS reported 100,023 students enrolled, surpassing 100,000 for the first time.

The board agenda will be posted at LoneStar.edu/Board three business days before the Oct. 1 meeting.