Texas county leaders say 2026 property tax rate will not rise, and could still drop

As Webb County works through its 2026 tax-setting process, county leaders said they do not anticipate increasing the county property tax rate and have not ruled out lowering it.

The issue surfaced during the county's yearly tax discussions, a process that often leaves residents unsure about what the numbers mean, the Laredo Morning Times reported.

What's happening?

At a Commissioners Court meeting, Webb County Tax Assessor-Collector Patricia Barrera presented the county's 2026 truth-in-taxation calculations, prompting remarks from Webb County Precinct 3 Commissioner John Galo.

Those calculations are part of the annual process local governments use to show what tax rate would generate the same amount of revenue from existing properties, often called the no-new-revenue rate. The process can sometimes create the impression that a tax hike is coming, even when officials are only discussing benchmark figures rather than approving an increase.

Galo said officials want residents to understand that reviewing those figures is not the same as approving a higher rate. 

"The public thinks that we are raising taxes, and no, it's very obvious we are not raising taxes," Galo said.

He added, "We are not raising even to the no-new-revenue tax rate." 

Galo said commissioners still have not formally chosen the 2026 rate, so a cut has not been ruled out.

Why does it matter?

Property taxes are a major household expense, so even modest changes can affect monthly budgets, mortgage payments, and overall housing costs.

Local tax policy can be difficult to follow. A truth-in-taxation presentation does not automatically mean taxes are going up; instead, it is meant to show residents and officials how different rate options compare.

County officials are publicly saying they do not expect to raise the tax rate for 2026.

Local tax rates help determine how communities balance household affordability with funding for county services.

What's being done?

The county is still in the middle of its usual public tax-setting cycle, with Barrera's truth-in-taxation presentation serving as an early step before commissioners settle on a final rate.

According to Galo, that number has not been finalized, so commissioners are still weighing whether to keep the rate as is or reduce it.

"I don't know if we will be able to do a tax decrease for what Webb County has charged this year, but we will not be doing an increase," Galo said. 

He also stressed, "We are not raising even to the no-new-revenue tax rate."

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