At its September 21 meeting, the Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to maintain the district’s property tax rate at $1.1171 per $100 of assessed value for the 2026‑27 fiscal year. This marks the third consecutive year the board has kept the rate unchanged, a decision the board says reflects responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars while still funding high‑quality education for students and families.
Why the rate stays the same
Board President Lance Redmon explained that keeping the tax rate steady demonstrates the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. “Maintaining our overall tax rate for the third consecutive year reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Redmon said. He added that the district remains focused on meeting evolving student needs without placing an undue financial burden on the community.
What homeowners can expect
Even though the tax rate is unchanged, the average property tax bill will rise to roughly $2,900 – a 1.93% increase from the previous year. The bump is driven by higher home valuations across the district, not by a higher tax rate.
Chief Financial Officer Chris Smith broke down the components of the rate: $0.7271 per $100 valuation goes to maintenance and operations, covering daily school functions, while $0.39 per $100 valuation funds the interest and sinking fund used to pay off district debt. Because appraisal values are up about 1.5%, the district will collect more revenue for maintenance and operations even with a static rate.
State funding interplay
Smith noted that when local property revenues increase, state aid often declines. “The state legislature does try to offset that through homestead exemption increases or compressing the tax rate,” he said. However, this year there will be no ballot measure to raise homestead exemptions, and appraisal values have not risen enough to trigger a rate compression.
Implementation timeline
The approved rate takes effect immediately and will appear on property tax statements later this fall, according to a district news release issued on September 21.
Impact on the community
For families in Katy and surrounding Fulshear areas, the decision means continued funding for classroom resources, extracurricular programs, and facility upkeep without a direct increase in the tax rate itself. At the same time, homeowners should budget for a modest rise in their overall tax bill due to rising home values.
Local leaders and residents alike view the steady rate as a balance between maintaining strong educational services and protecting the financial health of the community.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.
