Spring-area homeowners could see their Cy-Fair Fire Department property tax bill rise about $14.50 a year under a rate increase up for a vote Thursday, Sept. 24.

Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 (ESD 9) will hold a public hearing and special meeting at 6 p.m. at the district administration building, 10710 Telge Road, to vote on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget and tax rate, according to the district's posted agenda. A regular meeting follows later that evening.

The proposed rate is $0.045 per $100 of assessed value. The current rate is $0.038831. For the median-valued homestead in the district, appraised at $252,480, the district's taxpayer impact statement puts the annual bill at $113.62 under the new rate. That compares with $99.12 this fiscal year.

Why the increase

The district's FY 2026-27 operations budget projects $109.6 million in revenue and $117.8 million in expenditures at the no-new-revenue rate of $0.038548, leaving an $8.1 million shortfall. Assistant Chief of Administration Mike Clements attributed the gap to 49 new full-time employees needed to staff two upcoming fire stations, Community Impact first reported after the Aug. 27 meeting.

The higher rate would generate an additional $3.9 million in property tax revenue compared with the no-new-revenue rate, according to a presentation by tax consultants HdL Companies at a Sept. 17 budget workshop.

The board proposed the $0.045 rate on Aug. 27 in a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Rob Paiva and Jaime Martinez voted against it. Martinez suggested lowering a budgeted 4.2% employee compensation increase to avoid tapping reserves or raising the rate above the no-new-revenue level.

Commissioner Cameron Dickey, who voted for the proposal, supported what he called a "blended approach" that would draw down some reserves while recognizing rising costs. "You can't grow, add more locations and add more employees without adding more expense," Dickey said at the Aug. 27 meeting.

General Counsel David Manley said the board can lower the proposed rate before adoption but cannot raise it.

Growth driving demand

PASA president Stacy Tepera said the Cy-Fair Fire Department service area will add 109,800 residents over the next decade, a 21% increase, with the heaviest growth along the Grand Parkway. About three-quarters of the residential service area is already developed, according to PASA demographer Susan Cates.

What's next

Four candidates are running for three seats on the five-member ESD 9 board in the Nov. 3 election. Early voting begins Oct. 19.

Residents who want to speak on the tax rate can attend the public hearing at the Sept. 24 special meeting.