Press Room

RELEASE: PROPERTY TAX RATE DECREASE RESULT OF GARCIA'S COMPROMISE

3rd STRAIGHT PROPERTY TAX RATE DECREASE IS RESPONSIBLE AND RESULT OF GARCIA COMPROMISE

Assurances of No Quorum Break Means Flood Control to be Fully Funded

Harris County, TX — TODAY, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia offered to further compromise on a proposed Harris County tax rate with his Republican colleagues on the Court, Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey. After getting assurance Cagle and Ramsey would attend Court and not break quorum, Garcia’s new proposal means the overall Harris County Property Tax Rate would be reduced by 3%. This results in a rate of 0.58135 per $100 of taxable value, down from the 2020 rate of 0.59920 per $100 of assessed value. If Cagle and Ramsey honor their promise to not break Quorum thus allowing the “Garcia Compromise Rate” to be adopted, this would be the third straight year of reduced property tax rates in Harris County, after rates had previously remained flat going back a decade.

“I am thankful of my fellow Commissioners Court colleagues for their willingness to work towards getting a responsible tax rate decrease one step closer to the finish line. Commissioners Cagle and Ramsey realized their previous posturing of considering not showing up next week and breaking quorum would wreak havoc on County Operations. As a result, they committed to allow a vote on my responsible compromise rate. We can feel confident that infrastructure improvements, public safety, and caring for those in our hospital system will not be hurt. Commissioners Court works best when we compromise, and while no one is getting everything they want, this will serve the County well during these unique times,” said Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Garcia’s proposed tax rate reduction still needs to be officially adopted at a future Court meeting, provided a quorum is reached. Without a quorum, the county would be forced to adopt a “no new revenue” rate, devastating the County’s in the next fiscal year and going forward in future budget cycles. This potential loss of tax revenue would most drastically impact the Harris County Flood Control District, which could expect a shortfall of approximately $10.5 million (just under 10% of HCFCD’s budget), according to Budget Management. The effects of this decision would mean many planned infrastructure improvements would be postponed or canceled due to lack of funding.