Local Budget Updates
Florida and Texas Commissioners Advance New Budgets and Property Tax Changes
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Key Points
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Webb County’s budget adds staff specifically to the district attorney’s and public defender’s offices, while also creating a dispatch-tracking system for constables.
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Fort Lauderdale’s unchanged millage rate is $4.1193 per $1,000 of taxable value, while the fire assessment remains $444 per residential dwelling.
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In Harris County, the proposed tax and budget package covers not only the county government but also the Harris County Flood Control District, Harris Health, the Port of Houston Authority and the Harris County Toll Road Authority.
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The proposed Harris County burn ban would last at least 90 days—or until the Texas Forest Service determines that drought conditions have ended—and would temporarily prohibit sales of “sticks and fins” fireworks.
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Harris County’s drought precautions come as 210 Texas counties had burn bans in place as of Sept. 14, according to the Texas Forest Service; the National Integrated Drought Information System classified Harris County as “abnormally dry.”
Three major Texas counties are advancing budgets that balance employee raises, public safety needs, and fiscal pressures. Webb County adopted a $180.5 million budget with $2-an-hour raises for sheriff's deputies and 6% increases for other staff. Fort Lauderdale approved a $1.28 billion plan while holding property taxes flat for the 19th straight year. Harris County is preparing to vote on a $3.09 billion budget paired with a 7.6% property-tax hike that would cost the average homeowner roughly $193 more annually.
The budgets come as officials weigh competing demands: paying workers more, funding jails and fire stations, and avoiding tax increases that residents oppose. Harris County also faces an estimated $180 million shortfall and is considering emergency measures like a 90-day burn ban due to abnormally dry conditions.
Webb County Invests in Law Enforcement and Court Staff
Webb County's $180.5 million budget prioritizes criminal justice. Sheriff's deputies will receive $2-an-hour raises, while all other county employees and elected officials get 6% increases. The plan also funds new positions in the district attorney's and public defender's offices, adding capacity to handle cases faster. Additional funding covers new jail medical services, emergency radio towers, and a dispatch-tracking system for constables to improve coordination across the county.
Fort Lauderdale Holds the Line on Property Taxes
Fort Lauderdale commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a $1.28 billion budget while keeping the millage rate—the amount per $1,000 of taxable value—unchanged at $4.1193 for the 19th consecutive year. This freeze comes despite a 6% property tax hike in Broward County overall. The budget includes $12 million in cuts but still funds a new fire station in Flagler Village. One commissioner urged the city to go further and cut taxes entirely.
Harris County Faces $180 Million Shortfall and Drought Concerns
Harris County commissioners will vote soon on a $3.09 billion budget that covers the county, the flood control district, Harris Health, the port authority, and toll roads. A proposed 7.6% property-tax increase would raise the average homeowner's bill by about $193 per year—needed partly to cover a projected $180 million shortfall. As of September 14, the county was classified as 'abnormally dry' by the National Integrated Drought Information System.
To combat fire risk, county officials are expected to approve a 90-day burn ban—lasting until the Texas Forest Service says drought conditions have ended—and temporarily ban sales of "sticks and fins" fireworks. The measures follow a statewide trend: 210 Texas counties had active burn bans in place as of mid-September, according to the Texas Forest Service.
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