At its September 14 meeting, the Collin County Commissioners Court approved a modest property‑tax increase and a larger operating budget for fiscal year 2026‑27. The tax rate will rise to $0.151414 per $100 of property valuation, a 1.4% bump from the $0.149343 rate that has been in place since FY 2023‑24. The new budget totals $619.6 million, up $20.4 million from the FY 2025‑26 plan.
How the change affects homeowners
Director of Budget Mónika Arris explained that the higher rate does not automatically mean higher bills for every resident. While median home values in Collin County have risen, the average home value has slipped, meaning the impact will vary based on each property’s assessed value and its change since last year.
County Judge’s opposition
County Judge Chris Hill voted against both the tax rate and the budget, citing his desire to keep property taxes low. Hill noted that Collin County has not raised its property‑tax rate since 1993. Before the vote, he introduced two motions that failed to gain support:
- A proposal to cut each department’s budget by 2.76% to avoid a tax increase, which would have reduced smaller departments by tens of thousands of dollars and larger ones, such as jail operations, by more than $1 million.
- A plan to lower the county’s employee compensation target from the 75th percentile of peer counties to the 50th percentile.
Commissioner Susan Fletcher defended county staff, saying, “Our employees are the backbone of our county.” The compensation package for elected officials, which also passed 4‑1, includes raises for Judge Hill and the four commissioners.
Future tax considerations
Residents should also watch the upcoming bond election on November 3. Voters will decide on four propositions that total $817.5 million for court facilities, road improvements, parks, and election‑related infrastructure. While the bond itself does not list a specific tax increase, the maximum potential debt‑service tax rate could rise to 4.95 cents per $100 of valuation by 2031—an 18% increase over the current 4.19‑cent rate.
The bond’s impact on future property taxes will depend on voter approval and subsequent population growth. The county has set October 5 as the final registration deadline, with early voting scheduled for October 19‑25.
What’s next for taxpayers
Homeowners should review their property‑tax statements carefully this year to understand how the new rate and any changes in home valuation affect their individual bills. The county’s finance office will provide detailed breakdowns once assessments are finalized.
Overall, the Commissioners Court’s decision reflects a balanced approach: modestly raising revenue to fund essential services while attempting to limit the burden on families. The vote underscores the county’s commitment to maintaining strong public safety, infrastructure, and community services for all Collin County residents.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Plano — read the source article.
