Harris County Commissioners voted Thursday to approve a $2.67 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025, following months of discussions and emotional public input.
Key highlights of the budget include an increase in the property tax rate from 3.5% to 8%. For homeowners with properties valued at $400,000, this change translates to an additional $160 in taxes annually. The increased revenue will address damages from recent storms, such as the derecho in May and Hurricane Beryl, and will also help the county prepare for future natural disasters.
Budget director Daniel Ramos noted that the tax hike is expected to be temporary, reverting to the previous rate in Fiscal Year 2026. Typically, state law requires voter approval for property tax increases above 3.5%, but Harris County received an exception this year due to its designation as a disaster area by the governor.
Additionally, a proposal on the November ballot will ask voters to consider a 71% increase in flood control taxes, costing the average household an extra $60 per year, which could generate $113 million for flood mitigation efforts.
The new budget includes a 9.2% pay raise for elected officials, the first increase since 2016, while Harris County’s constables will receive a higher raise following a complaint to a citizen committee.
Moreover, the budget allocates an additional $10 million for medical costs at the Harris County Jail and transfers $100 million to Harris Health for these services. It also sets aside $52.9 million for outsourcing inmate housing.
Community groups like Woori Juntos and the Texas Organizing Project have expressed opposition to increased funding for law enforcement and incarceration, advocating instead for greater investment in disaster relief, language services, and eviction protection.
