The Harris County Commissioners Court is slated to discuss and adopt tax rates and budgets for the 2026-27 fiscal year during its Sept. 17 meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The overview<\/p>\n
As the county faces a projected shortfall of about $180 million, commissioners are expected to set the tax rates and budgets for Harris County, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris Health system and the Port of Houston Authority, according to agenda documents<\/a>. Commissioners are also set to discuss the budget for the Harris County Toll Road Authority.\u00a0<\/p>\n The court will consider a 7.6% overall property tax rate increase, which commissioners discussed at their Sept. 8 meeting, per previous Community Impact reporting<\/a>. The tax rate would add about $193 to the average homeowner\u2019s property tax bill, Harris County Office of Management and Budget Director Daniel Ramos previously said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The rates, recommended by OMB, would help the county balance its projected $3.09 billion budget. If passed, the property tax rate would be among the highest in the county\u2019s recent history.\u00a0<\/p>\n Commissioners are expected to make final changes and adopt the budgets and tax rates before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n Also on the agenda<\/p>\n The court will consider approving a burn ban at the request of the Harris County Fire Marshal\u2019s Office, according to agenda documents<\/a>. The ban would take effect Sept. 17 and last at least 90 days or until the Texas Forest Service determines that drought conditions no longer exist in the county.<\/p>\n The National Integrated Drought Information System<\/a> has marked Harris County as \u201cabnormally dry,\u201d a designation used to indicate areas entering or emerging from drought.\u00a0 <\/p>\n As of Sept. 14, 210 counties<\/a> in Texas have instituted burn bans, according to the forest service.\u00a0<\/p>\n The request would also temporarily ban the sale of \u201csticks and fins\u201d fireworks, per the documents.\u00a0<\/p>\n Before you go<\/p>\n Among several updates to precinct facilities, commissioners will also consider allocating an additional $1.77 million toward Precinct 4\u2019s Tracy Gee Community Center renovation project. Construction for the center, which was built in 1983, is scheduled to be completed in October, according to agenda documents<\/a>. It is one of seven community centers in the precinct.\u00a0<\/p>\n The additional money, bringing the project\u2019s total price to $19.77 million, would allow the building to be LEED-certified, which acknowledges \u201crigorous standards in sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility,\u201d according to agenda documents<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n