Tarrant County leaders are preparing to vote in September on a lower property tax rate and reduced budget — a sharp contrast to nearby Arlington, where officials are weighing a tax hike to close a budget shortfall.
The proposed county tax rate is 18.62 cents per $100 valuation. For a home valued at $277,000, that equals about $516 in taxes — roughly $3 less than last year, according to the Fort Worth Report.
Republican Commissioner Matt Krause praised staff for crafting the leaner budget and lower tax rate.
“Sometimes I think when the numbers are smaller, it’s actually harder to do,” Krause said. “I think y’all have done a yeoman’s effort to take care of the county’s needs.”
The proposed budget totals $825 million — a $21.5 million decrease from last year, according to the Fort Worth Report.
County Judge Tim O’Hare highlighted that this would mark his third straight year with both a lower tax rate and balanced budget, stressing his focus on taxpayer savings.
O’Hare has previously described tax relief measures as a win for homeowners.
“By increasing the Homestead Exemptions to the maximum allowed by state law, we are ensuring that homeowners will keep more of their hard-earned money. Setting both Homestead Exemptions at 20% for the first time in Tarrant County is not only historic but also responsible government,” O’Hare said.
Other local governments are moving in the opposite direction.
As reported by The Dallas Express, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, a Democrat, is under pressure as the city seeks to close a $25 million budget shortfall for 2026 — with a plan that includes raising property taxes.
The proposal would raise the property tax rate by three cents, adding about $59 annually for the average homeowner. With new fees included, Arlington households could pay roughly $147 more per year.