LAKE JACKSON, Texas — Lake Jackson City Council will discuss the proposed city budget and property-tax rate Monday as officials consider options that could raise the average homestead’s annual city tax bill by between approximately $29 and $116.
The council’s regular meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 3, in the Alice Rodgers Council Chambers at Lake Jackson City Hall, 25 Oak Drive. Council members are scheduled to discuss the proposed FY 2026–27 budget and tax rate before considering whether to call a formal public hearing for August 17.
What the higher rate could mean for homeowners
Lake Jackson’s current property-tax rate is $0.378911 per $100 of taxable value.
The taxpayer-impact statement attached to Monday’s meeting agenda shows what could happen if the city adopted its voter-approval tax rate of $0.410352 per $100.
Under that scenario, the city estimates:
- The average homestead’s taxable value would rise from $292,822 to $298,680.
- The estimated city tax bill would rise from $1,109.53 to $1,225.64.
- The average increase would be $116.11 per year, or approximately 10.46%.
That works out to an average increase of approximately $9.68 per month.
The figures apply only to the City of Lake Jackson portion of a property owner’s tax bill. They do not include taxes charged by Brazoria County, Brazosport ISD, Brazosport College, the drainage district or other taxing entities.
A lower option would still produce a smaller increase
The city’s calculated no-new-revenue rate is $0.381201 per $100, only slightly higher than the current rate.
If that rate were adopted, the taxpayer-impact statement estimates the average homestead’s city tax bill would increase from $1,109.53 to $1,138.57—an increase of $29.04 per year, or 2.62%.
The no-new-revenue rate is calculated to bring the city approximately the same property-tax revenue from properties taxed in both years after adjustments required by state law. It does not guarantee that every homeowner’s individual tax bill will remain unchanged, since property values and exemptions can differ.
The final tax rate has not been adopted
Residents should not assume the city has already approved the higher rate.
The city’s July budget presentation listed a proposed rate of approximately 38.11 cents per $100, close to the newly calculated no-new-revenue rate. Monday’s agenda, however, asks the council to consider calling a public hearing using the higher 41.0352-cent voter-approval rate.
The voter-approval rate is generally the highest rate a city can adopt without triggering an election. Council could ultimately select a lower rate before adopting the final budget.
The different figures make Monday’s discussion important for homeowners seeking to understand which rate city leaders currently favor and why the higher amount is being used for the proposed hearing.
Proposed budget totals nearly $29 million in the General Fund
The city’s proposed FY 2026–27 General Fund budget totals approximately $28.82 million, compared with the current adopted budget of approximately $28.52 million—an increase of roughly $299,800.
The proposed Utility Fund budget totals approximately $23.47 million. City documents identify debt service, surface-water purchases, capital-project funding, maintenance contracts, electricity and required water testing among the major utility-cost increases.
Budget priorities presented by the city include:
- Expanding the Police Department and repairing Police and Fire Station No. 1 facilities
- Completing Lift Station No. 1
- Replacing damaged street panels on major roads
- Beginning the conversion to automated water-meter reading
- Opening the new animal-control facility
- Developing comprehensive, parks and traffic-safety master plans
- Continuing employee recruitment and retention efforts
Water, sewer and garbage rates may also rise
The proposed budget materials include a possible $6.46 monthly water-and-sewer increase for a residential customer using 5,000 gallons.
The city is also considering:
- Raising the residential sanitation rate by 25 cents per month, bringing it to $28.75
- Increasing commercial sanitation rates by 5%
- Adding a possible $1 monthly storm-debris fee
Those charges would be separate from any property-tax increase.
Recreation Center renovation could grow by $150,000
Council members will also consider increasing the Recreation Center locker-room renovation budget from $750,000 to $900,000.
According to the meeting agenda, the additional $150,000 would allow the city to install higher-quality, lower-maintenance lockers, partitions and flooring.
Public hearing could be held August 17
If approved Monday, the formal public hearing on the proposed budget and voter-approval tax rate will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 17, at Lake Jackson City Hall.
The tax rate and budget remain subject to discussion and change before final adoption.
Gulf Coast Times will continue following the budget process and update residents after the council discusses the proposed rate.