Pearland’s City Council approved its FY 2025-26 budget and adopted a property tax rate of $0.63 per $100 valuation at the Sept. 22 meeting. The vote was 5–1, with Council Member Rushi Patel dissenting.
What the Numbers Mean for Homeowners
-
The approved rate of $0.63 is higher than the no-new-revenue rate of approximately $0.619439, meaning it will raise additional tax revenue.
-
For a home with a median taxable value of $372,103, the difference in tax under the new rate versus the no-new-revenue rate is about $40.
-
Compared to the previous year, the same $0.63 rate for a home of equal value would result in a tax bill about $12 lower than last year, due to property valuations and adjustments.
Budget, Revenues & Expenditures
-
The city projects revenue growth of 6.13% compared to the last budget year.
-
Expenditures are expected to increase by about 2.43% in the new budget.
-
The budget also includes provisions for 14 new city staff hires, which some residents opposed given the tax increase.
Concerns and Opposition
-
At the meeting, residents urged council to stick to the no-new-revenue rate, citing economic pressures like rising property appraisals and a projected 5.5% water rate increase.
-
Some suggested the city cut or delay new hires to reduce the tax burden.
-
Council Member Patel opposed the rate, expressing that more restraint would better respect residents’ finances.
