Ever wonder how you get the services you need? This past Tuesday, Sept. 10, Harris County Commissioners decided on a budget for next year that they’ll be voting to approve on September 19. 

What does the budget cover? 

The budget covers funding for roads, drainage, law enforcement, and much more. If you want a more detailed breakdown of everything the budget goes toward, scroll to page 60 here.

Harris County technically has four budgets: the General Fund, Flood Control, the Toll Road Authority, and Harris Health. Three of the four budgets – the General Fund, Flood Control, and Harris Health – are funded primarily by property taxes. The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) is funded by the toll fees it collects. 

Who benefits from this budget? 

The budget funds County services that everyone who lives, works, and visits Harris County can benefit from. The Harris County budget is different from a city’s budget – it covers services for residents throughout all of Harris County, from Katy to Kingwood and League City to Tomball. While much of what city and county budgets fund is similar, Harris County’s budget doesn’t cover trash pickup or water services. 

How have residents made their voices heard? 

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) held five public meetings this summer to talk about the budget, including one in each precinct. At these town halls, residents learned about the budget process, asked questions and made suggestions. Residents are also always invited to attend Commissioners Court and share their views on County programs, services, and processes – like the budget. 

How do y’all decide the budget? 

Every year, dozens of Harris County departments that cover services from public safety to health submit budget requests for commissioners to consider. OMB then looks over the asks to figure out what departments need while making sure the County doesn’t go over budget.  

Commissioners hold a meeting to discuss which departments get which funds. They then vote to approve the budget, which goes into effect on October 1, 2024. 

Where does the money come from? 

Three of four budgets are mainly funded by residents’ property taxes. What each property owner pays depends on their property appraisal value.  

Budget tax rates are as follows (not accounting for homestead and other exemptions): 

General Fund: 38.5 cents per $100  

Flood Control: 3 cents per $100 

Harris Health: 16.3 cents per $100 

What about that tax rate news? 

The Flood Control tax rate may change after November when voters will consider a ballot measure. If approved, the tax rate would go from 3 cents per $100 to a little over 4 cents per $100. This funding would go toward repairing and replacing aging infrastructure, responding more quickly to service and maintenance requests, and growing a pipeline of future maintenance projects. 

What is Precinct 4’s main budget priorities? 

Precinct 4 prioritizes five key areas: Justice and safety, infrastructure, health, economic opportunity and education, and good government. This year, disaster response and the justice system are some of the highest priorities. 

Precinct 4 also has a dedicated budget that comes from the General Fund. This budget is used to fund programming, services, infrastructure improvements, and parks – all with the five priority areas in mind. 

Where can I go for more information about the budget? 

To see a more in-depth budget breakdown, visit OMB’s website.