[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6472701,"mediaKeyId","5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c","parentId",5775913,"title","Waller County adopts 2026 budget, raises property tax rate to 0.556187 citing bond debt and rising costs","audioSeconds",3603,"startMs",2396000,"endMs",5999000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c&start=2396&end=5999","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c/thumbnail_2396000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472701/Waller-County/Texas/Waller-County-adopts-2026-budget-raises-property-tax-rate-to-0556187-citing-bond-debt-and-rising-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472701-96038cfdb749a41fe9eb743ccb065f81/orig.mp4?Expires=1770594029&Signature=nDwFbPQ8GAxxB1YLty9PHwawWrHpEVdvNVtgLooBzjx1dTE2iHvWtk7FcwNoT5fvIk~hkoFAmyQeqsB6Qk1eSTfjIJEtZYioMffdKwkr-imA~CeJLp8yas9n33Ox2EE25JS3CDNt0XUyA5iOZhx-VfrOZ8-7fYvFSY0vRtR-gwhVFfXlnKG8dloPcveCideNv8z4CHzZSoPbMscsw64v8lDm~55vPZYE-BTbQcblEly9nQOkRZjsDfb2Mol0xwLUaoJyxnxiomvkGLA3aDnV2FkrIDtiAHUEcD4dTQfAyo~BESLGOFu4ByyV4H1dizwYml4VTPekXAI24B1oQazqqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waller","date","2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","article","Waller County Commissioners Court adopted the county’s 2026 budget and set a total property tax rate of 0.556187 per $100 of taxable value following a public hearing and amendments to the proposed spending plan.

Judge Trey Duhan moved to approve the 2026 budget with the handout amendments provided by the county auditor; the court voted to adopt the budget. The court separately ratified a property‑tax increase based on new value and then, in a roll‑call vote, approved the adopted tax rate. The roll call recorded the four present members voting yes (Judge Trey Duhan, Commissioner Beckendorf, Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Hamsel); Commissioner Jones was absent for the roll call.

County staff said the 2026 general‑fund and road‑bridge budgets increase by about $13.4 million compared with 2025. The county cited several drivers: higher debt service resulting from the voter‑approved mobility bond issued in 2023 (debt service was presented as increasing from about $8.4 million to about $15.9 million), cost escalation for planned facilities, and higher operating expenses such as health insurance and vehicle maintenance. Staff told the court the budget proposes a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees and adds about 40 full‑time positions overall, including a heavy emphasis on public safety: the sheriff’s office received roughly half of the personnel additions (two new sergeants, six dispatchers and 12 patrol officers). Other additions listed by staff included plan reviewers and inspectors in development services, two investigators in the district attorney’s office, and additional staffing in the county clerk, auditor and other departments.

County leaders emphasized that a large share of the tax increase stems from debt service related to the mobility bond the voters approved; one budget‑committee member noted that about 57% of the tax‑rate increase is tied to debt and an additional portion to a planned increment to pay cash toward precinct buildings. Judge Duhan and committee members said the mobility bond moves projects into design and construction phases and that spreading issuance too thinly can increase long‑term costs.

Members of the public and several county law‑enforcement leaders and constable office representatives used the public hearing to press for higher pay and staffing for deputies, constables and other front‑line employees. The court and budget committee members acknowledged those concerns and signaled plans to study merit‑based pay and to expand human‑resources capacity in future budget cycles.

The court adopted the budget with the listed amendments and set the tax rate at 0.556187 per $100 of assessed value (the court recorded the M&O component at 0.439463 and the interest & sinking component at 0.093133 per $100; one component for farm‑to‑market funding was stated in the motion but the transcript rendering was not fully clear). Staff said amendments included reallocations from fund balances and modest line‑item changes; the court also directed staff to finalize a small amendment to add part‑time help for constables from available capital outlay funds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waller - Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","After a public hearing and multiple amendments, the Waller County Commissioners Court adopted the county's 2026 budget and a total property tax rate of 0.556187 per $100 of taxable value, citing mobility‑bond debt service, staffing needs and rising costs.","taxTitle","Waller County, Texas","taxId",54097,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6472705,"Court approves Landing subdivision in Precinct 3 with variances and developer road contributions",304,1961000,2265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c&start=1961&end=2265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c/thumbnail_1961000.jpg","/articles/6472705/Waller-County/Texas/Court-approves-Landing-subdivision-in-Precinct-3-with-variances-and-developer-road-contributions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472705-a1ddb3fe8de3c6780fed329903b6d75f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770594029&Signature=U70RLNtOBiDmROVUhpqj6tH3fZ8WrLxyOG8U~4HBR28o1pdpP4SDjc4FL~zGlDESkdY~zzfIjlBJJW3CIREcUPYUZj8j8bdeeHwJB72gJ8lxjfQwVd1OiPYms-2YGCs6RBY0uni38eO4bGfN1I6q81u1LdJmHdvgbV1-mhuXCG9FTAXIU6oTAPILyg~h~ysxxzewes4YgynbHURYkwSOxybH5UZZmJMDGWiQ6wXR-IvBZwFWvYQiz6buOUJsn~A5HzNwYpnsYNOh30MUJowDHHdaX~KpNVVvmBIrZbmPXovycdnKzmYrlF7lMP5KhpVZYv0GtSZExGnpp1XpnxnQCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners Court approved a development agreement and plan variances for the Landing subdivision in Precinct 3, a 151‑acre project with 411 mostly 50‑foot lots.

Robert (county staff) described the Landing project as 151 acres in the Schlupp/Beckendorf area with 411 lots, primarily 50‑foot lots, and a limited number of 105‑foot depth lots in some locations to facilitate drainage. The developer, HistoryMaker Homes, is represented by engineer Jake Miller, who said the 105‑foot depths are limited and used where drainage accommodations require flexibility.

County staff said the developer will dedicate right‑of‑way, construct certain road segments (including a contribution of $364,450 for future construction of portions of Beckendorf and Stockdick), provide upgraded architectural standards, and deliver a contract deputy agreement and upgraded fencing. The court amended the agreement to include other associated agreements and then voted to approve the item as amended.

Commissioners and staff also discussed broader county priorities: increasing detention capacity tied to future road projects and adding plan reviewers and inspectors in development services to handle heavy permitting loads.

The court approved the development agreement, variances and associated obligations; staff will finalize the documents and execute the agreements.","The commissioners approved a 151‑acre Landing development with 411 lots, granted limited variances, and secured road funding and architectural standards from the developer.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6472709,"Commissioners approve Sand Hill development agreement, add prohibition on build‑to‑rent multifamily",235,1721000,1956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c&start=1721&end=1956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c/thumbnail_1721000.jpg","/articles/6472709/Waller-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-Sand-Hill-development-agreement-add-prohibition-on-buildtorent-multifamily","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472709-3f2e2ad01ed06def38efc3c80abf928f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770594029&Signature=mDqfyO~qoEgErbqsb0KzeoKp~DdydZ-MlGOya6dZWfuY6DaniNUA6QNlJrWko8JZ4TO-c28tfjEJoh~q9nSFsK8JMdjPhMJtwL9SeHiw4Iu8Z8jgiMchUPcVOG~tbEciT4TzmEahIQ~XYL5jztmVM9GckFztjWYwiXZQQzaIsBmmCGUn97V0u0i5zG25at8uSeu7OtIG7zADYCpqcmvnzJsQUL4llQ99PfEpI6pkUiINDwU6dx~NBZFGWwgr0ev3CnrJrKrwy6E1TJU3xyuqfELdA-Zpf6V0yK3t2J8G-ux8SSuXTRV8ocMhvPEi2dI9QbawH7rgHdzVTL0DcmBb-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners Court approved a development agreement and related variances for a 254‑acre subdivision known as Sand Hill, subject to adding a prohibition on build‑to‑rent and multifamily housing to the agreement.

Robert (county staff presenting the item) described the project as a 254‑acre development south of Hagar Road with 515 lots—309 lots at 50 feet of frontage and 206 at 60 feet. He told the court the developer will pay for the design and construction of the county’s half of Stockdick (a local roadway) and provide upgraded fencing and architectural standards. The development will include wet‑bottom detention ponds.

Commissioners moved to approve the development agreement and general‑plan variances on the condition that the contract include language prohibiting build‑to‑rent multifamily. Following an amendment to add that prohibition, the court voted to approve the item as amended.

Neighbors raised concerns about screening and privacy along the development's border; a nearby resident said the development will have a market for 50‑ and 60‑foot lots and asked for privacy fencing. County staff said those concerns will be addressed through the project's fencing and architectural standards.

The action was procedural: the court approved the development agreement, granted standard variances, and directed staff to add the multifamily prohibition to the final contract.","Waller County approved a 254‑acre Sand Hill development agreement and general‑plan variances, requiring the developer to add a build‑to‑rent/multifamily prohibition to the agreement and to fund specified roadway work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6472714,"Waller County commissioners table final plats for Woodhaven Estates after residents raise flooding concerns",922,216000,1138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c&start=216&end=1138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775913-2ddce49b9a937145b615a17df18a156c/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6472714/Waller-County/Texas/Waller-County-commissioners-table-final-plats-for-Woodhaven-Estates-after-residents-raise-flooding-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472714-1016e17e4cc665199cd6ece2ccec3ac7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770594029&Signature=J~Rolgqr15-wuFrStu-RUbMVw6FJgp5370LKC2yU~PyyziBG52PKRzPL74GWbLSNGdhrEQgzNbMmOciinnL2COjCkuyAunYhXa~264HBubijbnz4hJ6vG5riSpOLk994pgagmKw2avLoKXfJEsOjX7~Wh8BVtCmTvbfgeTuWII8AE4kslwrnJ~0YGLaIWk1Pwi7~daaS3MLBGScPm1pKH0KidhgTP5dS4fRYJ55mRSU4Y-wwLLlIOeuus12-juruGoQ2mVTtcjWLI69sKRTA6V7hf3xKMCyfZYOCaMjKVPPuYyh5IvRtQqK060cIOom~S8KbsEg2eWn~zp4QTdjx~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted to table action on the final plats for Woodhaven Estates after a Remington Forest resident warned recent grading could increase local flooding.

Nick Humphrey, a Remington Forest resident and GIS analyst, spoke during public comment about flood risks he said he identified in county and FEMA mapping. \"I know from personal experience… I'm not in a flood plain, but I'm a fear that because of the amount of dirt that they've brought in, that they've raised that so high that we will be flooded,\" Humphrey told the court.

The county attorney and staff declined to engage in a technical back-and-forth during public comment but allowed Humphrey to ask that agenda items 9–14, the final plats for Woodhaven Estates, be removed from the consent agenda. The court removed those items and later took public comment on them. Commissioner Smith moved to table the plats pending further review; the motion carried.

A county staff member who spoke to the court during the item described the county's floodplain and drainage review process, saying the county enforces standards required by the National Flood Insurance Program and that engineers must demonstrate there will be no increase in peak flow downstream. The staff member also told Humphrey that property owners have civil remedies under Texas law if they can prove a neighboring development caused damaging floodwaters; he cited \"Texas Water Code\" in describing statutory remedies and said the county uses Atlas 14 rainfall data for hydrologic design.

Commissioner Smith expressed particular concern about drainage at the end of Hunting Trail, where he said a downhill slope and recent filling could leave a single residence with no clear overland drainage path. He said he had not received an \"adequate explanation from the engineer nor the contractor\" for how water would leave that location and moved to table the plats until the county can demonstrate there will be no adverse impact.

County staff offered to meet with Humphrey on his property and to review engineering submittals and floodplain models; staff also said the county sometimes brings third‑party hydrologic experts to review complex hydraulic models. Judge Trey Duhan told Humphrey the county engineer would notify him when the item returns to the agenda.

The court's action was procedural: the final plats were tabled pending staff review and any needed plan modifications or verification of built conditions against the approved engineering plans.

The court approved other consent items at the same meeting, and the budget public hearing followed the Woodhaven discussion.","After a resident raised flood-risk concerns and asked what recourse neighbors would have if grading changed local topography, Waller County commissioners paused final-plat action on Woodhaven Estates so staff can investigate drainage and floodplain compliance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Waller County adopts 2026 budget, raises property tax rate to 0.556187 citing bond debt and rising costs

Court approves Landing subdivision in Precinct 3 with variances and developer road contributions

Commissioners approve Sand Hill development agreement, add prohibition on build‑to‑rent multifamily

Waller County commissioners table final plats for Woodhaven Estates after residents raise flooding concerns