County

ABC13 reports that 67 percent of local cities and counties in the Houston area are bringing in more property tax revenue this year, many of them without changing their rate, because appraisals rose.

With the Harris County tax rate rising for 2026-27, KPRC 2 has laid out the exemptions homeowners can claim and the records worth gathering before the next appraisal protest period.

Harris County Commissioners Court had about $15.1 million in unassigned general fund money when budget work began on September 8 and spent roughly $14.7 million of it over the next nine days, KPRC 2 reports.

Harris County Pretrial Services has told the nonprofit The Forgotten Third that it will not renew funding for R.E.S.E.T., a reentry program for young adults with criminal histories, saying the services are no longer required.

A Harris County judge denied bond Thursday for Enrique Aguilar, 20, who is charged with two counts of murder in the separate shooting deaths of two 17-year-olds. He is due back in court in November.

County Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained from Thursday’s tax rate vote and called the budget irresponsible and unsustainable, saying the rate is not a substitute for a long term fiscal plan.

Commissioners Adrian Garcia, Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones defended Thursday’s tax rate vote, attributing roughly $250 million in costs to state and federal decisions and naming flood mitigation, roads and courts among the services the revenue supports.

Harris County Commissioners Court approved $1.4 million on Thursday to staff ankle monitor supervision 24 hours a day, funding 15 positions in pretrial services. Around-the-clock monitoring is set to begin in 2027.