Property Tax to See Historic Rise in America’s Third-Largest County
Texas’ Harris County is facing a budget shortfall of over $180m for the upcoming fiscal year. The solution? A property tax hike.
Harris County in Texas, home to over five million residents, has approved the highest property tax rate in modern history to address a budget deficit exceeding $180 million. The 7.6 percent increase, approved by a 3-2 vote, will raise residents' tax bills by $198 annually. This unprecedented move aims to fund infrastructure expansion, technology upgrades, and other essential services facing increasing challenges due to rising public safety, healthcare, and legal costs.
The vote, which struck down an amendment to maintain the current rate, has sparked concerns among homeowners about the affordability of living in the county. The rate hike, if approved after a pending public hearing on September 17, would generate a projected $15 million surplus for the county.
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