Houston council proposes cut to municipal tax rate; schedules Oct. 2 vote after public hearing

The Town of Houston council on Sept. 16 recommended lowering the municipal property tax rate to $0.06 per $100 of assessed value, down from the current $0.15, and said it will hold a formal vote on the proposal at its Oct. 2, 2025 meeting.

Mayor Gregory Wingo, speaking during a public hearing required under Town Charter Section 27, Item (f), said the council has delayed mailing tax bills while awaiting Kent County’s finalized assessments and now intends to accept those assessments and “adjust the Town’s rate in order to have a lower impact on resident's taxes.” The council said it achieved the proposed rate by making numerous line-item cuts to the draft budget.

During public comment, a resident identified in the transcript as Mr. Moore asked what the town’s Realty Transfer Tax Account has paid for and what the Hazard Mitigation Plan covers. Mayor Wingo said the Realty Transfer Tax Account has funded projects such as the town fence and has been used to cover deficiencies; he said the Hazard Mitigation Plan, prepared with help from an engineer, positions the town to pursue disaster-relief funding through DEMA and FEMA.

John Washinski asked the council what rate it was proposing; Mayor Wingo responded that the proposed rate is $0.06 per $100 of assessed value, contrasted with the current rate of $0.15 per $100. Tax Collector Lisa Wingo gave an example illustrating the difference in tax bills under the two rates.

Residents also raised questions about town communications and services. Mayor Wingo said the town is working on a new website and posts notices on a Town of Houston Facebook page and the municipal kiosk. William Dittman asked why the town paid to install a fence; Mayor Wingo said the fence was an insurance requirement. Mr. Dittman also asked whether the town has a code addressing trash in yards; Mayor Wingo confirmed the town does have such a code.

Several residents asked why funding for contracted policing was removed from the draft budget. Mayor Wingo said contracted police services had increased to about $43,000 per year and that officers under the prior contract issued only three traffic tickets last year; on that basis the council removed the policing line and is seeking alternatives, including outreach to nearby police departments. When asked about private security, Mayor Wingo responded that private security officers cannot issue municipal citations.

The council did not take a final vote on the tax rate at the Sept. 16 meeting; Mayor Wingo said the council will vote on the new rate at its Oct. 2, 2025 meeting. The Sept. 16 meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. after a motion by Councilman David Mutter and a second by Councilwoman Robin Adkins.