September 2026 archive: This article records proposals and schedules reported at publication. The September 14, 24 and 28 dates below have passed; consult current official records for final decisions and rates.
South Houston suburbs are deep in budget season. Here’s a plain-language look at the main civic items residents in Pearland and Friendswood are watching — proposed city and school rates, public hearings, and a recent Pearland bond sale for water, sewer, and other infrastructure.
Pearland: balanced FY 2026-27 proposal and September readings
Pearland officials are proposing a balanced FY 2026-27 budget of about $137.8 million in both revenues and expenses, according to Community Impact reporting on city documents after the city’s Aug. 24 budget workshop (published Aug. 25, 2026).
The same coverage cites a proposed property tax rate of $0.627892 per $100 of valuation, including:
- $0.351681 for maintenance and operations (M&O)
- $0.276211 for debt service
City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and first reading of the FY 2026-27 budget and property tax rate ordinances on Sept. 14, with a second reading scheduled for Sept. 28, according to that reporting on city documents.
For subsequent budget and tax-rate decisions, consult the City of Pearland’s calendar, agendas and Office of Management and Budget materials.
Pearland: ~$63M bond sale — mostly water/sewer via utility rates
Separately, Pearland authorized a sale of nearly $63 million in bonds for city infrastructure, Community Impact reported Aug. 28, 2026 (sale authorized at the Aug. 24 council meeting).
Breakdown cited from city documents:
- About $59.5 million for water and sewer projects (lift stations, water line replacements, and related work)
- About $3.6 million for other city projects (including drainage-related work and items such as a Reid Boulevard extension and traffic-signal upgrades along Hwy. 35)
Per that reporting on city documents: water and sewer debt is repaid through utility rates by system users and does not affect property taxes; the smaller non-utility portion is described as repaid with property tax revenue. The city expected to close on the bonds and receive funds Sept. 24.
The sale was also described as reduced from an earlier, larger borrowing plan, largely because of lower-than-expected project costs and schedule adjustments.
Friendswood: official notice of public hearing on tax increase
The City of Friendswood’s Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Increase states:
- Proposed tax rate: $0.559723 per $100
- No-new-revenue tax rate: $0.514843 per $100
- Voter-approval tax rate: $0.586980 per $100
The notice explains that the proposed rate is greater than the no-new-revenue rate (meaning the city is proposing to increase property taxes for the 2026 tax year) and is not greater than the voter-approval rate (so an election to accept/reject the rate is not required under that notice).
Public hearing (as printed on the official notice): September 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Friendswood City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas 77546
Official PDF: https://www.ci.friendswood.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/7246/2026-Notice-of-Public-Hearing-on-Tax-Increase-PDF
Consult the city’s current official notices for subsequent decisions and rates.
Friendswood ISD: lower rate, balanced FY 2026-27 budget
Friendswood ISD trustees approved a balanced FY 2026-27 budget and a lower tax rate at an Aug. 24 workshop, Community Impact reported Aug. 26, 2026.
From that coverage of district budget documents:
- Approved rate: $1.0249 per $100 (nearly 0.5% lower than the prior $1.03)
- Split: $0.7818 M&O and $0.2431 interest and sinking (I&S)
- Budget: nearly $70.4 million in both revenues and expenses (balanced)
Dates reported in the original update
- Friendswood city tax hearing — Date reported: Sep 14, 2026, 5:30 p.m. (official notice)
- Pearland budget / tax rate first reading + hearing — Date reported: Sep 14, 2026 (CI on city docs)
- Pearland second reading — Date reported: Sep 28, 2026 (CI on city docs)
- Pearland bond closing / funds — Date reported: Sep 24, 2026 (CI on city docs)
Residents who want to speak or follow along should use the official agendas and notices linked above rather than relying on secondary summaries alone.
For a broader starting point while comparing nearby communities, use the Journal’s Houston-area neighborhood guides.
Ready to talk through your next move? Call Aurhomes Group at (281) 724-3966 or reach us through our contact page.
