Harris County commissioners are continuing discussions about a proposed $3.1 billion annual budget that would include a property tax increase of about 7.6-percent, to help counter a $188 million deficit.
The commissioners on Tuesday approved the rate for tax increase, which will then go up as a notice to the public, which will have a short period to comment, then Commissioners Court will hold a public vote on the tax hike on September 17th.
Democrats have the majority of commissioners at three out of four, and since the Democrats have formed a coalition, the tax hike is expected to pass and go into effect next year.
The lone Republican among the commissioners, Tom Ramsey, said, “To even consider it going up is fairly outrageous.”
County Budget Director Daniel Ramos said, “This year’s budget presented a unique set of challenges: the second year of law enforcement pay parity, the County’s pay equity study’s first full year of implementation, as well as historic increases in the County’s healthcare spending, in addition to compounding unfunded legislative mandates, and a difficult economic environment.”
“They’re increasing the spending by $127 million this year, and it’s a whole variety of spending this year on things like raises to health insurance,” according to Baker Institute Fellow Bill King.
“And if you’re going to increase spending that much you’re going to have to get the revenue from somewhere, and the only place the county is able to that is from taxpayers.”
Although County Judge Lena Hidalgo said over the weekend on her internet blog that she wants to get together with commissioners to discuss privacy issues related to Flock cameras, but no discussion appeared in open commissioners court on that subject today.