Montgomery County's proposed $546.8 million budget for fiscal year 2027 would raise the typical Woodlands-area homeowner's county tax bill by $25.39.

The budget document, submitted by Budget Officer Amanda Carter and dated Sept. 8, is scheduled for a formal adoption vote by the Commissioners Court on that date. It sets a property tax rate of $0.3860 per $100 valuation, up from $0.3770. That 0.9-cent increase means a homeowner with a median homestead valued at $270,349 would pay $1,043.55 in county taxes, up $25.39 from the current year. The adopted rate stays below the voter-approval ceiling of $0.4136.

Countywide, the higher rate and new construction together would generate $17.5 million more in property tax revenue than last year, a 4.94% increase. About $11.6 million of that comes from new property added to the tax rolls, not from existing homeowners.

Most of the new spending goes toward staffing. The budget funds 26 new positions: 24 full-time and two part-time, spread across law enforcement, building maintenance, justices of the peace and information technology. It also creates a new 523rd District Court at $480,644. County employees would receive a 5% cost-of-living raise, totaling roughly $8.1 million in salaries and benefits. Law enforcement staff would see a partial second year of pay parity with the City of Houston and Harris County. Health insurance funding rises to $19,000 per employee.

Nearly half the budget goes to public safety. Law enforcement and corrections account for $248.5 million, or 45.5% of total spending. The remaining major categories are general government at 13.5%, debt service at 10% and transportation at 9.8%. The county's total debt secured by property taxes stands at $48.8 million, with $4.8 million directed to capital improvements.

Commissioners voted 3-2 on Aug. 13 to propose the $0.3860 rate after three days of budget workshops. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler and Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray voted against it. County Judge Mark Keough and Commissioners Robert Walker and Charlie Riley voted in favor.

"I do not agree with a 5% across-the-board raise. I don't think that's a COLA," Wheeler said during the Aug. 13 workshop, as Community Impact reported. "I think that's a merit raise." COLA refers to a cost-of-living adjustment.

Carter warned commissioners during those workshops that the FY2027 decisions already commit roughly $7.6 million toward the following year's budget because of staggered start dates for new positions and remaining law enforcement pay-parity costs.

The county's estimated population tops 763,000, a 1.8% increase. The Commissioners Court is scheduled to vote on the budget Sept. 8. The full budget document is available on the county website, and residents can contact the Budget Office at 936-522-4518 or at 501 N. Thompson in Conroe.