Fulshear City Council Rejects Tax Rate Election, Prioritizes Police Pay Raises and Long-Term Planning
In a unanimous decision during a Special City Council Meeting on August 18, the City of Fulshear opted not to move forward with a tax rate election for 2025, citing a need for deliberate, sustainable planning—especially in light of a regional race in police officer compensation.
With the clock ticking on a state-mandated deadline to call a voter-approval tax ratification election, council members voted to stay below the voter-approval rate of $0.189901 per $100 valuation, foregoing a proposed tax rate of $0.199901. Instead, the Council passed a motion to redirect existing budgeted funds to support salary increases for current officers by eliminating one or two vacant police positions.
“Last night, City Council unanimously voted not to pursue a tax rate election at this time,” Council Member Patrick Powers stated in a public message to residents. “Instead of moving forward with a tax rate election, Council made two key decisions: we will reallocate funds by removing one or two unfilled police officer positions to provide raises for our existing officers, and we are considering forming a citizen-led committee to help shape a comprehensive, forward-looking plan for the future of Fulshear’s Police Department.”
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Responding to a Regional Trend in Law Enforcement Pay
Fulshear leaders acknowledged rising pressure to remain competitive with surrounding jurisdictions. Houston recently raised starting police officer pay to $81,000, Harris County followed suit, and Montgomery County announced plans to raise first-year officer pay to $100,000 by 2028. In comparison, Fulshear’s base police salaries currently range between $68,000 and $72,000.
“Our Chief of Police also spoke powerfully last night about the realities of running a department in the fastest-growing city in America, all while navigating a nationwide recruiting crunch,” Powers noted. “This showed us that our approach was too reactionary and not a sustainable, long-term plan.”
Mayor McCoy Commends a “Pause and Listen” Approach
Mayor Don McCoy, who presided over the meeting but did not vote on the proposal, emphasized the importance of taking additional time before adopting the final budget and tax rate. “I’m proud that our City Council is willing to pause, listen, and carefully reconsider important decisions to ensure we are always doing what’s best for Fulshear and every one of our citizens,” McCoy shared in a social media statement following the meeting.
He confirmed that Council will schedule a workshop to further review budgetary priorities and that the city can no longer adopt a tax rate higher than the voter-approval rate this year. “This step will allow us to fully understand not only this year’s financial needs but also the long-term needs of our growing city,” he added. “Together, we can ensure that Fulshear remains on the right path forward.”
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What Comes Next for Fulshear
The decision signals a shift toward broader engagement. A citizen-led task force may soon be formed to help develop a sustainable plan for public safety investment in Fulshear. The move has been welcomed by several residents online as a balanced response—one that neither ignores the need for public safety funding nor overburdens taxpayers in the short term.
Council Member Powers concluded, “Last night’s decision was not about doing nothing—it was about taking a step back to make sure we act wisely, not hastily.”
As Fulshear continues to grow, residents are encouraged to stay informed and offer input. The City Council invites the public to review budget materials on fulsheartexas.gov and participate in upcoming discussions.
Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for updates on future Council workshops and community planning initiatives in Fulshear.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
