Nonprofit policy director: 'Proposed bond would further bloat Harris County’s already mounting debt'

As the Harris County Commissioners Court weighs a $1 billion bond package, Houston Chronicle reported, James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation said property taxes are already sky high and issuing more debt would increase the economic strain people are already feeling.

“If voters aren’t dissuaded by the prospect of paying higher taxes in tough times, then they might be dismayed with the level of debt that Harris County already carries,” Quintero said. “According to the Bond Review Board, its debt totaled more than $5.3 billion in fiscal year 2021. The proposed bond would further bloat Harris County’s already mounting debt.”

The bond package would direct spending toward public safety, roads and flood control projects, the Houston Chronicle reported. If approved by voters, this would be the first new bond approval in seven years that pertains to roads and parks.

In order to pay for the debt from this bond, every Harris County property owner would be assessed an additional property tax of one penny per $100 of assessed value. This property tax increase assumes a 25-year payoff period, the Chronicle said.  

According to data from tax-rates.org, the average 2022 property tax bill for Harris County is $3,040.