The average Woodlands homeowner will pay $49.17 more in property taxes next year even though the Township Board of Directors voted to cut the tax rate, according to the Township's official public hearing notice.
Rising home values are the culprit. The proposed 2026 rate of $0.1694 per $100 of taxable value is lower than this year's $0.1714, but average homestead appraisals climbed 5.68% to $681,960. That pushes the typical bill from $1,106.07 to $1,155.24, a 4.45% increase.
The board approved the proposed rate 6-1. Chairman Brad Bailey, Vice-Chairman Craig Eissler, directors Linda Nelson, Richard Franks, Adam Lamb and Cindy Heiser voted in favor. Director Shelley Sekula-Gibbs cast the lone dissenting vote.
The notice does not state Sekula-Gibbs' reason for opposing the rate. During an Aug. 18 budget workshop, she raised concerns about township staffing growth outpacing population growth.
"I thought it would be worth discussing and letting people know that if we keep this trajectory going, we are going to really be heavy on staff," Sekula-Gibbs said at that workshop, according to Community Impact.
Across all properties, the total tax levy is projected to rise from $52.05 million to $53.2 million, an increase of about $1.15 million or 2.21%.
The proposed rate still sits well below the voter-approval ceiling of $0.1804, the highest rate the Township could set without triggering an election. It does exceed the no-new-revenue rate of $0.1654, which is why state law requires the public hearing.
What's next
A public hearing and special board meeting to formally adopt the 2027 budget and approve the 2026 tax rate is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3, at 5:45 p.m. at The Woodlands Township offices, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. A previously scheduled Aug. 21 budget workshop was canceled, with the Sept. 3 meeting replacing it.
Residents who want to weigh in can attend the hearing or contact board members directly. Questions about tax assessments can be directed to Township tax assessor Tammy McRae at 936-538-8124 or [email protected].
