Highland Village council proposes 0.500984 tax rate, schedules Sept. 9 public hearing

The Highland Village City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 12 to propose a 2025 ad valorem tax rate of 0.500984 per $100 of assessed value and scheduled a public hearing on the FY 2025‑26 budget and proposed tax rate for Sept. 9.

City staff described the calculation steps required under Truth in Taxation and the state comptroller worksheet, including the no-new-revenue rate (calculated at 0.480268 in the presentation) and the voter‑approval ceiling (0.500984). Staff emphasized that the council’s motion to propose a rate does not bind the council to approve that exact rate at adoption; the final approved rate can be lower but not exceed the advertised maximum.

Council members asked for clarification about the figures used in the calculation and noted that Highland Village’s last comprehensive city portion rate increase was in 2017. Staff also reviewed past tax-rate history and explained that growth assumptions and voter‑approved measures such as DCTA and park/trails voter propositions affect the long‑term outlook. Staff told council the average taxable value in Highland Village is about $519,000, which staff said would translate to roughly $4.20 at the spread discussed earlier.

The council vote to propose the 0.500984 rate and set the Sept. 9 public hearing was 7–0. Staff said notices will follow state requirements.