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

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…