The Combine City Council is scheduled to consider adoption of the city’s 2026-27 budget and a property tax rate of 35 cents per $100 of assessed value during public hearings and its regular meeting Monday, Aug. 24.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Combine City Hall, 100 Davis Road, and residents will have opportunities to address the council during separate budget and tax hearings before the regular council agenda begins.
The proposed tax rate of $0.35 per $100 is the same rate adopted for 2025. However, the city’s taxpayer impact statement shows the estimated property tax on a median-valued homestead increasing because the median property value has risen.
The city lists the median-valued homestead at $564,919 for 2026, with an estimated city property tax bill of $1,977.22 at the proposed rate. In 2025, the city listed a median value of $530,887 and a tax bill of $1,858.10.
Combine’s calculated no-new-revenue tax rate for 2026 is $0.334778 per $100. At that rate, the tax on the listed median-valued homestead would be $1,891.22.
According to the city’s budget hearing notice, the proposed 2026-27 budget would raise $42,202.91 more in total property taxes than the previous year’s budget, an increase of 5.39 percent. Of that additional revenue, $12,715.38 would come from new property added to the tax roll this year.
Residents wishing to speak during either public hearing must sign the city-provided form before addressing the council. Speakers will be limited to three minutes and will be heard on a first-come, first-served basis.
Following the public hearings, the council is scheduled to take separate recorded votes on the budget and the ordinance establishing the 2026-27 ad valorem tax rate.
Comprehensive Plan, Meeting Time Among Other Items
The regular council meeting will also include a report from the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission concerning proposed updates to Combine’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The commission met Aug. 18, and council members may provide additional guidance to the city engineer based on its recommendations.
Council members will consider engaging Larry Settles to prepare the city’s financial statements for the 2025-26 fiscal year in compliance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services.
Another agenda item could change when residents attend future council meetings. The council will consider moving its regular monthly meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. If approved, the change would be formally recorded through a resolution.
The council is also scheduled to vote on candidates for positions with the Texas Municipal League Board of Trustees and Board of Directors.
Mayor Tim Ratcliff is expected to provide updates concerning the Dallas County appeals ruling in Verdego v. City of Combine and a Kaufman County court matter involving property behind FM 3039.
Monthly reports from the Police Department, Fire Department, Animal Control, Public Works and Planning & Zoning are also scheduled for review, along with the July treasurer’s report and minutes from the July 27 regular meeting and Aug. 12 special meeting.
Residents may also speak about non-agenda city matters during the regular meeting after signing the appropriate form. Comments are limited to three minutes, and state open-meetings requirements generally prevent the council from taking immediate action on subjects that were not posted on the agenda.
