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Tomball City Council moves forward with flat property tax rate for FY 2026-27

Tomball City Council is moving forward with a property tax rate of $0.340940 per $100 valuation of a home for fiscal year 2026-27, keeping the rate unchanged from the current fiscal year.

Council voted 5-0 Aug. 17 to ratify the FY 2026-27 budget based on the proposed rate and acknowledge that the rate exceeds the city’s no-new-revenue rate, meaning it will generate more property tax revenue than the previous year.

What it means: While the rate itself is not increasing, council members spent part of the discussion explaining why that does not necessarily mean every homeowner’s city tax bill will stay the same.

Tomball Finance Director Bragg Farmer said the difference comes down to property values. As an example, Farmer said a home valued at $300,000 could increase to $330,000, which would result in a higher tax bill even with the same tax rate.

According to the city’s FY 2026-27 budget and tax-rate information, Tomball is budgeting about $13.62 million in property tax revenue, compared with about $12.46 million projected for FY 2025-26.

 
On The Transportation Beat
TxDOT road closure at FM 1488, Smith Street to last through Sept. 1

Magnolia drivers can expect a temporary closure at FM 1488 and Smith Street through early September as the Texas Department of Transportation continues construction in the area.

According to an Aug. 17 notice from the city of Magnolia, the closure began Aug. 18 and is expected to remain in place through Sept. 1. The city said the intersection closure is needed for reinforced concrete box installation.

What you need to know: The Magnolia Police Department said the work involves installing storm drainage along Smith Street at FM 1488.

“A small portion of Smith, at this intersection, will be closed until completion,” the department said in an Aug. 17 post.

The closure affects Smith Street where it meets FM 1488, rather than the entirety of Smith Street, according to the Police Department’s notice.

 

Beyond the classroom: How policy shifts, budget strains are reshaping Houston-area public schools

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Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Dueling Pianos Night

High Caliber Gun Show

Aug. 21, 7 p.m.
8502 Rio Grande St., Jersey Village

Aug. 22-23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
9055 Airport Road, Conroe

See more

See more

 

100-year celebration

Matcha and Pilates Market

Aug. 22, 12-4 p.m.
550 McKinney St., Houston

Aug. 22, 2-8 p.m.
2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land

See more

See more

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Statewide News
As Texas students return to class, here are 5 things to know about public education

Many Texas students began returning to the classroom for the 2026-27 school year in mid-August.

Here are five things Texans should know as the 2026-27 school year kicks off.

The details:

  • 2026 school accountability ratings issued
  • New rule impacts accountability-related school closures
  • 100K students using new Texas Education Freedom Accounts
  • Public school closures deepen across Texas
  • Check out recent public education laws
 

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Managing Editor

Chrissy Leggett
General Manager

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