Harris County Commissioners Court adopted its 2026-27 budget and county tax rates on Thursday, September 17, setting the combined county rate at 67 cents per $100 of taxable value. KPRC 2 reports the new rate adds more than $190 a year, or roughly $16 a month, to the county portion of the tax bill for an average homeowner, with the actual amount depending on a property’s taxable value and exemptions.
The court was divided. Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey voted against the rate and County Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained from the final vote, according to KPRC 2. Outlets reporting from the hearing gave differing final tallies, so this post does not print one.
Hidalgo, who did not vote for the budget she presides over, told reporters afterward that “this tax rate and this budget do not substitute for a sustainable fiscal plan,” and added that “it is possible to have a sustainable budget that funds important programs.”
Houston Public Media put the total adopted budget at $3.1 billion. The Houston Chronicle reported the county was closing a shortfall of about $180 million. The rate takes effect with the county fiscal year that begins October 1.
Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Huffman, Summerwood and Fall Creek all sit inside Harris County, so the county rate adopted Thursday appears on every property tax bill in the Lake Houston area. It is separate from the school district, city and other rates that make up the full bill.
