A proposal made during the regular council meeting held Aug. 1 could increase tax rates if council members are able to approve it in the coming weeks. The current property tax rate would increase from 25.14 cents per $100 of valuation to 34.14 cents.

The City of Tomball has not had a tax increase in five years.

The proposed increase would cost the average homeowner an additional $116.44 on their property tax bill, according to city Finance Director Glenn Windsor.

"I took the total appraisal values for the homes here and got an average value of $129,380," Windsor said. "The extra money raised per year would be about a million dollars which would be right about what the payment is for the extra projects we need to finance."

City Manager George Shackleford echoed Windsor’s thoughts about projects the city has under consideration.

"We have a couple of major projects to be completed," Shackleford said. "With interests rates so low we think this is the right time to do this."

Those extra projects include improvements to Brown Road and Medical Complex Drive, in order to provide a full east and west corridor through the city, Furthermore the city is looking to improve storm drainage on Medical Complex Drive, with the $10.8 million M121 project.

"The council has chosen to do this through a Certificate of Obligation bond, which allows for council approval to raise the funds needed and it wouldn't require a vote," said Shackleford.

The combined cost for both projects is estimated at over $14 million, Shackleford mentioned.
The city will hold a public hearing on Aug. 22 to discuss the upcoming fiscal year budget and proposed tax rate increase. The meeting is set for 6 p.m.

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