Laredo council opens public hearing on proposed 0.506080 tax rate; levy estimated at $140.6 million

The council opened a public hearing and read an introductory ordinance for a proposed tax rate of 0.506080 per $100 of property value for tax year 2026. The clerk explained the rate splits: 0.380253 for maintenance and operations and 0.125827 for interest and sinking (debt service), and estimated the tax levy at $140,577,516.

"Public hearing and introductory ordinance for the adoption of the tax rate of 0.506080 per $100 of value for tax year 2026," the clerk read, adding that the rate "is estimated to generate a tax levy of 140,577,516." The clerk also read required taxpayer-impact figures for median homestead values and taxes for the current and proposed years.

Council was told the formal vote on the tax rate is scheduled for 09/21/2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers; staff and council discussed that the rate chosen left "2¢ on the table" relative to the voter-approved ceiling and that the selected rate holds cash available while still reflecting a small reduction from certain baselines.