All four candidates to replace Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said they oppose the county's 7.6% property tax hike. They split sharply on what to do about it.

Democratic nominee Letitia Plummer, Republican nominee Orlando Sanchez and write-in candidates Marianne "Yan" Hess and Vince Duncan faced off Thursday, Oct. 1, at a KHOU 11 forum at the University of Houston-Downtown. KHOU 11 anchor Len Cannon moderated.

The race matters directly to Webster, Seabrook, Nassau Bay and Clear Lake Shores homeowners, who pay Harris County property taxes and live in areas where the county sheriff operates Flock license plate reader cameras.

Property taxes

Harris County Commissioners Court voted 3-1 on Sept. 17 to set the 2027 tax rate at $0.67 per $100 of assessed valuation, up from $0.62. The increase costs the average homeowner about $193 more per year based on a $400,000 home value, according to Harris County budget director Daniel Ramos, as Community Impact reported. Houston Public Media reported it is one of the highest combined county tax rates in 20 years.

Plummer, 56, a former Houston City Council member, said she would reverse the increase outright. She said people are struggling just to live their regular lives. Sanchez, 68, a former City Council member and three-time county treasurer, said he would ask the Texas Legislature to require voter approval for future tax increases.

Hess questioned raising taxes while also approving higher salaries for elected officials. Duncan proposed what he called "Free and Clear Property Ownership Reform," under which homeowners would pay into the tax base for 15 years before owning their property without further tax obligation.

Flock cameras

The county renewed its Flock Safety contract on May 28 for $868,975, covering through June 5, 2027, according to Click2Houston. The Harris County Sheriff's Office operates 480 cameras across 20 networks, primarily in municipal utility districts and neighborhood associations, Houston Press reported.

Duncan gave the strongest opposition: "I would say we just nip it in the bud. We don't need Flock cameras."

Hess said she would not renew the contract unless problems with the program were fixed. Sanchez said his decision would depend on feedback from residents and law enforcement. Plummer raised concerns about data access and retention and said she would cancel the contract as currently written but would discuss the program if those questions were answered.

Closer to home, the Seabrook Police Department operates its own eight Flock cameras with a 30-day data retention policy. That agreement is reviewed annually.

What's next

Commissioners Court is scheduled to discuss Flock cameras at its Oct. 15 meeting. Plummer and Sanchez will debate Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in a Houston Public Media and Houston Chronicle event. The full forum is available on the KHOU 11 app. Election Day is Nov. 3.