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Pearland council adopts FY26 property tax rate of $0.63 after public hearing and debate
Summary
After public comment urging the 'no new revenue' rate, the City of Pearland adopted a $0.63 per $100 property tax rate for FY26. Staff said the median homestead will see a roughly $12 annual reduction; council approved the rate after several required votes and a 5–1 final tally.
The Pearland City Council on Sept. 22 adopted a fiscal year 2026 property tax rate of $0.63 per $100 valuation, completing the two‑step process required under state law after a public hearing and council debate.
City finance staff presented the proposed rate as part of a balanced FY26 budget, saying it reduces the rate by half a cent from FY25 and supports personnel priorities and an expanded streets and sidewalk rehabilitation program. “The proposed tax rate to support the fiscal year 26 budget is 63¢,” budget analyst Rachel Winslow said, adding that the median homestead would see an approximate $12 annual reduction at that rate.
Public testimony included appeals to hold the line on taxes. A public commenter who asked to be listed on the record urged the council to adopt the no‑new‑revenue rate of 0.619439, saying many households are already stretched by rising appraisals and higher utility bills. Veronica Longoria, a Pearland resident of more than 20 years, asked council to reject the increase and direct the city manager to return a revised budget that freezes nonessential hiring and adheres to the no‑new‑revenue rate.
Council members questioned staff about how the rate interacts with rising appraisals and with an upcoming water rate increase; staff noted the water increase is 5.5%. After the public hearing and the statutorily required ratification votes, council took a final motion to set the tax rate at $0.63. The final council vote on the rate recorded five ayes and one no.
What happens next: the adopted rate will appear in city billing and budget documents for FY26. Officials said the FY26 ending fund balance is projected at about $32.6 million, a figure the presentation described as roughly $13,000 above the city policy minimum.
Votes and process: The council conducted the statutorily required initial and ratification votes before taking a final adoption vote. The final motion to set the rate passed 5–1. (Detailed vote tallies and roll‑call language are in the council record.)
The council meeting concluded with other business on the agenda, including land‑use decisions and several contract awards.
