2027 Budget Goals

Special Meeting Monday to Discuss Harris County Budget, Tax Increase

8/16/26 – On Monday 8/17/26, Harris County will hold a Special Meeting of Commissioners Court to discuss the 2027 budget and a tax increase to cover a projected $129 million deficit in the general fund.

The agenda shows that the meeting will start at 9 am. Ironically, Item #1 has to do with “salary grievances.” Item #2 is the budget itself.

Harris County’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided an overview of the issues in April 2026. The 12-page presentation shows:

  • Historical rates dating back to 2018
  • A $5 billion budget for 2027
  • Where the money comes from; 81.5% of the general fund comes from property taxes
  • Where the money goes; 60% to Justice and Public Safety
  • A breakdown of increases
  • Revenues vs. expenditures; $129 million deficit using the Voter Approval Rate and $257 million using the No New Revenue Rate.

Need for Greater Transparency

The presentation above contains a link for more details, but the link does not work. OMBs Open Budget Dashboard website contains no content as of 7 pm on 8/16/26. And no explanatory information is linked to the agenda. Perhaps OMB will share budget details after the meeting.

The 12-page presentation from April at least contains a list of budget objectives. See below.

Unfortunately, with no details that connect goals with expenditures, it’s hard to tell how the county hopes to achieve these objectives.

I broke out laughing when I saw “housing stability.” One of the single largest expenses for most people is housing. And Harris County could increase property taxes 9-14% according to initial indications. Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey PE said it may be the single largest tax increase in Harris County history. It’s hard to see how increasing property taxes improve housing stability.

I also broke out laughing when I saw the typo in the last line which has escaped the notice of OMB for 5 months. That certainly does not inspire confidence in the accuracy of the numbers commissioners will soon be voting on.

For More Information and Next Steps

A third party, Rice University’s Baker Institute, provides an excellent discussion of the issues surrounding this budget. The Baker Institute also provides several recommendations to make the budget process more transparent.

Don’t expect formal budget approval tomorrow. That will come in later:

  • September 8: Commissioners Court proposes tax rates and considers budget amendments.
  • September 17: Public hearing and adoption of the 2026 tax rates and FY2027 budget.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/16/2026

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