HTX-HRM: Impact 10/9/2025

Houston City Council on Oct. 8 proposed an unchanged property tax rate for fiscal year 2025-26 after Mayor John Whitmire said he would not increase taxes or fees despite a projected $53 million dip in the fund balance.

At a glance: City Council set the proposed rate of $0.5191 per $100 home valuation, which is lower than the rate used to calculate the FY 2025-26 city budget that council adopted in June. 

City Finance Director Melissa Dubowski said the budget was created using a rate of $0.5378 per $100 home valuation, which is the maximum rate the city could adopt without voter approval due to local cap laws. The city would see an estimated $53 million decrease in revenue if council adopts the proposed lower rate later this month.

Quote of note: “I look at it as the public gains $53 million,” Whitmire said at the Oct. 8 City Council meeting. “With the cost of living and affordability being on everyone’s mind, the public just does not want to pay more fees or taxes.”

Queen Bee’s Tea Room brings classic British refinement and Southern hospitality to the Houston Heights through aesthetic decor and a curated selection of teas and pastries, according to the establishment’s social media

What you need to know​​​​​​: The woman-owned, Texas-based business offers an afternoon tea experience with vintage teacups and inventive tea-infused creations.

The business will also offer dishes to pair with the teas. Although no menu has been published online yet, co-owner Kristy Jhaver said the menu will blend the finest ingredients to elevate customers' tea experiences.

• 201 W. 15th St., Houston

The city of Houston may be able to increase its general fund revenue by at least $200 million annually by enacting policies in line with other major Texas cities, according to an Oct. 7 presentation from Controller Chris Hollins’ office.

In a nutshell: In the Oct. 7 Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting, Deputy Controller Will Jones presented a high-level breakdown of Houston’s general fund revenues compared to those of its peer cities, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso. 

The report showed that Houston is the only major Texas city not to charge garbage/environmental fees or transfer funds from its utility budget. The five other cities in the report make hundreds of millions in revenue from the fees each year, Jones said, which can then be transferred to their general funds and used for other city expenditures such as public safety.

Jones said if Houston were to consider adopting similar general fund strategies, like charging more monthly residential fees, the city could increase its savings.