Harris County Department of Education is committed to being good stewards
of taxpayer dollars. For the sixth year in a row, HCDE's Board of
Trustees voted to save county taxpayers money by lowering the tax rate
below the effective tax rate. HCDE’s adopted tax rate is 0.004993
per $100 assessed property value for the tax year 2020-2021.
"During these unprecedented times, I think it is important for residents
of Harris County to know that we are in this together," said HCDE
Board President Eric Dick. "Many business are struggling due to the
coronavirus pandemic. Harris County Department of Education is going to
tighten its belt and lead fellow school districts by example."
On September 17, 2020, Harris County Department of Education conducted
its first in-person meeting where it's trustees vote to save county
taxpayers money by lowering the tax rate. The decision was unanimous with
trustees Amy Hinojosa, Andrea Duhon, Richard Cantu, Danny Norris, Don
Sumners, and Eric Dick, all voting for the lower tax rate, with Mike Wolfe
being absent.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, HCDE began its "Because We Care"
initiative, where it was one of the first governmental entities to distribute
hand sanitizer, masks, and food supplies to residents. It also reinvested
in teachers and their staff by increasing the minimum wage to $13.50 (set
to be $15.00 in 2021). Finally, leadership utilized record low bond rates
to reinvest nearly fifty-million-dollars in adult education, early childhood
development, special education, therapy services (including music), and
drug recovery.
Harris County Department of Education is the only governmental entity to
reduce its tax rate and increase its services. "HCDE uses its tax
rate as seed money to invest in the various businesses it owns.,"
says Board Chairman Eric Dick. "The result is that we turn $1 of
tax money collected into $5 of governmental services. We serve as a model
for being frugal and compassionate."