Clear Lake area homeowners in Harris County could see their property tax bills jump by roughly $200 a year if county commissioners approve a combined 9-cent rate increase now under discussion.

Budget Director Daniel Ramos told Commissioners Court on Thursday, Aug. 6, that he plans to propose a 3-cent increase to the general fund tax rate to close a $130 million county deficit. The Harris County Flood Control District is eyeing its own 3-cent increase, and Commissioner Tom Ramsey said the hospital district is considering the same.

If all three pass, the combined Harris County property tax rate would climb from about 62 cents to 71 cents per $100 of assessed value, according to ABC13.

"Please understand the tax rate that we will be considering in just a few short weeks is probably the greatest tax rate increase in the history of Harris County," Ramsey said at the Aug. 6 meeting.

What it means for Clear Lake homeowners

ABC13 reported that the county budget office was unable to provide an estimate of the average homeowner's additional cost when asked Aug. 6. Here's our math: The median home sale price in the Clear Lake area was approximately $327,000 as of May 2026, according to Zillow. After the standard Texas $100,000 homestead exemption, that leaves about $227,000 in taxable value.

A 9-cent combined increase on that amount would add roughly $204 per year. Even the 3-cent general fund increase alone would cost about $68 more annually.

Those figures are estimates. Official numbers will depend on the final rates commissioners adopt.

Commissioners split on the outlook

Commissioner Rodney Ellis disputed Ramsey's warning, telling ABC13 he doesn't believe homeowners will see an increase that adds hundreds of dollars to their bills.

The disagreement signals a fight ahead as commissioners receive a proposed budget later in August and face a final vote by October, when the county's fiscal year begins.

Constable pay raised to $305,000

At the same meeting, commissioners voted 4-1 to raise constable salaries to $305,000. The increase marks the fourth raise in three years, a 129% jump since 2024. For comparison, constables in Travis, Tarrant and Dallas counties all earned under $150,000 in 2025. County Judge Lina Hidalgo cast the lone dissenting vote.

"It's an unbelievable number, percentage-wise, that we're giving to these politically influential elected officials," Hidalgo said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Ellis initially voted against the constable raise but switched his vote after commissioners agreed to extend identical increases to the county attorney, district attorney, district clerk, county clerk and tax assessor. Those raises must still be formally approved as part of the budget process in September.

What's next

Commissioners are expected to receive a proposed budget later this month and vote on it by October. As we reported Aug. 6, Judge Hidalgo's separate 1-cent childcare tax proposal also died at the same meeting when no commissioner seconded it.

Harris County residents can attend Commissioners Court meetings or submit public comment through the county clerk's office. The next budget hearing dates have not been announced.