Friendswood-area homeowners in the Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District face a proposed 10.11% tax rate increase for tax year 2026, though the average homeowner's bill would drop by about a dollar thanks to an expanded homestead exemption.
The drainage district will hold a public hearing on the proposal Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. at its offices at 1605 Whitaker Drive in Friendswood.
The proposed combined rate of $0.127237 per $100 of assessed valuation would replace the current rate of $0.115550 per $100, according to the district's tax hearing notice. That's a jump of about 1.2 cents per $100.
Why the bill drops despite a rate hike
The math favors homeowners. The GCCDD board, led by President Rusty Burkett, voted March 11 to more than double the general homestead exemption to $5,000 or 20% of appraised value, whichever is greater. Burkett won re-election to the board in May, defeating challenger Kevin Holland with 55% of the vote. The exemption increase pushed the average homestead exemption from $55,778 to $113,764.
Even though the average home's appraised value rose from $557,777 to $568,822, the average taxable value fell from $501,999 to $455,058. The estimated annual tax bill on the average residence homestead would drop from $580.05 to $579.00, a decrease of $1.05.
Petition rights
Under Texas Water Code Section 49.23603, qualified voters can petition for an election to roll back the rate if the adopted rate would raise taxes on the average residence homestead by more than 8%. Because the average bill decreases under this proposal, that petition threshold does not appear to be triggered for the typical homeowner. Individual tax bills may still rise depending on a property's specific value and exemption status.
Second tax hearing ahead
The drainage district's hearing is separate from the Friendswood City Council's own proposed tax rate increase. As we reported Aug. 5, the city proposed a rate of $0.559723 per $100 valuation, about 4.5 cents above the current city rate, with a public hearing set for Sept. 14.
District finances
The GCCDD manages flood drainage along Clear Creek, Mary's Creek, Coward's Creek, Chigger Creek and Dickinson Bayou, maintaining creeks, ditches and outfalls draining 100 acres or more. Property taxes fund 88% of the district's revenue. In fiscal year 2025, the district spent $7.07 million against $6.86 million in revenue, with repairs and maintenance accounting for $3 million of that spending. The district's general fund balance fell by $1.26 million to $5.48 million.
All five board members listed on the notice support the proposed rate: Burkett, David L. Johnson, Kim Girouard, Jim Robertson and Jason Jones.
Residents can visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes for information about proposed tax rates and scheduled hearings for all taxing entities. Executive Director Paige Bailey's office can be reached at (281) 482-0404.
