Think and Act Locally

Empowering Deer Park, La Porte & Pasadena

Liberty • Prosperity • Service • Growth

Know Your Government: Week 4 - Your Property Tax Bill Decoded

Last week we looked at Harris County Commissioners Court. This week, we're getting personal: your property tax bill.

The Uncomfortable Truth: When that bill arrives, most people look at one number—the total. But that total is actually a bundle of separate charges from 8+ different government entities, each with its own budget, its own board, and its own ability to raise your taxes.

Who's Taking a Slice?

Using a Deer Park household as an example, here's how ~$6,100 in annual property taxes breaks down:

• City of Deer Park — ~$2,100 (police, fire, streets, zoning)
• La Porte ISD — ~$1,620 (yes, Deer Park residents fund La Porte schools)
• Harris County General — ~$1,113 (courts, jails, county roads)
• Harris County Flood Control — ~$145
• Harris County Dept of Education — ~$14
• Harris County Hospital District — ~$548
• San Jacinto College — ~$545
• Port of Houston Authority — ~$17

The Hidden Reality:

• Only ONE of these entities (City Council) is the government you actually elected to run your city
• Your school taxes go to a district in a different city
• You're funding 8 separate bureaucracies, each with its own overhead
  
  

Why This Matters: When politicians promise "no tax increase," they're usually talking about the rate. But if your home's appraised value goes up, your bill goes up automatically—no vote required. It's a subscription on autopay.

The Strong Towns Question: Are all 8 of these entities delivering value proportional to what they charge? Or has the system grown to serve itself?

One Action This Week: Pull out your most recent property tax statement. Identify the three largest line items. Now ask: When was the last time you attended a meeting of any of those entities?

Q: How many separate government entities can appear as line items on a single Texas property tax bill?

"The tax which will be paid for the purpose of education is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests, and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance." — Thomas Jefferson

Decode your property tax bill in 60 seconds:

Go to hcad.org → Search your address → Click "Tax Office Website" → View your actual bill with every entity itemized.

Even better: The Harris County Tax Office archives your bills going back years. Compare your 2020 bill to your 2024 bill. See exactly which entities grew their take—and by how much.

Bonus: HCAD also shows your property's "improvement value" vs "land value." Strong Towns advocates argue we should tax land more and improvements less. Knowing your split is the first step to understanding why.

GROWTH & LEARNING

Tuttle Twins

Speaking of taking ownership of your children's education...

If you've ever wanted to introduce your kids to concepts like free markets, personal responsibility, and individual liberty—but weren't sure how to start—the Tuttle Twins book series makes it easy.

Written for kids ages 5-11, these illustrated books teach economic and civic concepts through engaging stories. My kids have learned more about how the world actually works from these books than from most of what they get in school.

The curriculum includes activity workbooks that turn passive reading into active learning. Perfect complement to our "Know Your Schools" philosophy: take ownership of what your children learn.

[Check out the Tuttle Twins here] (affiliate (affiliate link)

Prosperity Spotlight

Supporting Local Business & Entrepreneurship

The Preparation

Competent, Confident and Dangerous

GROWTH & LEARNING: 

Stealing Yourself Wealthy

I've spent a lot of ink in this newsletter talking about holding government accountable for financial sustainability. But here's an uncomfortable question: How sustainable are your own finances?

Back in August, I started applying a simple options trading framework called Low Stress Options. The pitch sounded almost too boring to be true: target 1% per week, spend just 1-2 hours managing it, avoid the drama of day trading.

Four months later, I've collected nearly $25,000 in premium income.

No, that's not a typo. And no, I'm not glued to a screen all day. I run multiple businesses, write this newsletter, and chase kids around. This fits because it was designed to fit.

The framework is built on the same philosophy we preach here: systems over speculation, consistency over chaos, and taking control of what you can actually control.

The founder learned this mindset during 1980s Brazilian hyperinflation - his host father "stole" small amounts from the family businesses, converted them to dollars, and saved three franchises when everyone else went under. Same principle: small, consistent actions compound into something significant.

If you're looking to make up for lost time on retirement, smooth out the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurial income, or just put your money to work harder than a savings account's pathetic 0.45% annual return - this is worth your time.

Check out Low Stress Options →

Full disclosure: This is an affiliate link. But you know the rule - sponsors support the mission, never influence the message. I don't recommend anything I don't personally use.

FOOD SCENE UPDATE

Sycamore Grounds

2502 Pansy St, Pasadena, TX 77503

Cuban Cafe, Laporte

708 Park Dr, La Porte, TX 77571

Picachos Grill House

3407 Genoa Red Bluff Rd, Pasadena, TX 77505

Craving authentic Mexican flavors? Our food truck serves up sizzling fajitas, juicy burgers, and classic Tex-Mex dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Come experience the taste of tradition! Family owned business.

REAL ESTATE PULSE

Featured Property - For Lease

4422 Meadow Way Dr, Deer Park, TX 77536

Beautiful one-story home with a split floor plan featuring high ceilings in the living area. Upgraded flooring throughout. The primary bath includes a garden tub, separate shower, and large walk-in closet. Great outdoor kitchen with space to entertain. Washer, dryer, and refrigerator included with $2500 lease. No damage during the 2021 freeze or flooding during Harvey. Owner is willing to lease the house with the furniture currently in the home. Tenant must pay and use the current lawn maintenance company.[Link to full listing]

ADOPT A FRIEND

Pet of the Week

 

This handsome boy is ready to steal your heart weeks before Valentines day. He's pet friendly, kid friendly, and would make the perfect addition to any family.

 

Whether you're looking for a playmate, a cuddle buddy, or a loyal best friend, one (or more) of these sweet pups is waiting just for you.

 

Available now at the Deer Park Animal Shelter

 

Questions? Call us at 281-478-7274

 

Come meet them today and see how easy you will fall in love.

 

Deer Park Animal Shelter and Adoption Center

4221 Luella Ave, Deer Park, TX

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Ways to Make a Difference

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight: Your School District Needs You

With our "Know Your Schools" series (see last week's issue), here are ways to get involved beyond just attending board meetings:

• Campus Volunteer Programs - All three districts welcome parent and community volunteers
• Mentoring Programs - La Porte ISD's HELPS Mentoring Program matches adults with students who need support
• Education Foundation Support - All three districts have education foundations accepting donations and volunteer help
• Career Day Speakers - Share your profession with students in CTE programs

Contact your district's volunteer coordinator to learn more.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Ways to Give Back This Week

Loving La Porte: Feeding Students at the Library

Michael and Kristy Hanks discovered Joseph Daughtery feeding 80-150 kids at the La Porte Library after school—out of his own pocket, three to four times a week.

They didn't just admire it. They joined him.

Now "Loving La Porte" is growing into something bigger: a vision for a community center where families can access a food pantry, receive clothing, learn life skills, do laundry, get tutoring, and more—all under one roof.

84% of students at La Porte Elementary live below the federal poverty level. This isn't abstract. This is your neighbor's kid.

How to Help:

• Volunteer: Setup begins at 2:15 PM weekdays at the Harris County Library in La Porte
• Donate: Contact Michael Hanks at 832-867-3499 or mhanks11@hotmail.com
• Learn more: LovingLaPorte.org or Facebook: Loving La Porte

[Full story in Around La Porte, Pages 1 & 4]

Blue Santa Milestone

The La Porte Police Department's Blue Santa Program served nearly 1,000 children this holiday season—up from 600-700 in previous years. The program has grown from helping 10 families in 2009 to this record-breaking year.

Partners who made it happen: La Porte Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, La Porte Police Officers' Association, Underwood Baptist Church, and dozens of local businesses.

If you missed the chance to help this year, mark your calendar for October 2026 when registration opens again.

[ALP, Page 2]

GROWTH & LEARNING

Education & Personal Development

Library Preserving Local History

The La Porte Public Library received a $20,000 grant from the Ladd and Katherine Hancher Library Foundation to digitize decades of historic newspapers, including The Bayshore Sun.

Why This Matters: These archives contain La Porte's stories, milestones, and cultural history. Once digitized, they'll be searchable online for residents, students, researchers, and former community members worldwide.

This is how communities preserve their identity. Support your local library.

[ALP, Page 2]

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT:

What If Healthcare Worked Like a Community?

Here's a question I've been wrestling with: We talk a lot in this newsletter about broken systems in government. But what about the healthcare system?

My family of four has never had traditional health insurance. For years we used Medishare, a health sharing ministry. Earlier this year, we switched to CrowdHealth - and I want to tell you why.

The model is simple: You pay a $55/month subscription per person for access to their platform and advocacy team. Then each month, you contribute to help crowdfund another member's medical bills - never more than your set maximum. When you have a health event, you pay a $500 commitment, and the community funds the rest.

Right now, we're testing this in real time. My family had a $6,000 ER visit. CrowdHealth is negotiating that bill down, I'll pay $500, and the crowd will cover the remainder. No claims department. No denial letters. No fighting with bureaucrats.

Our monthly cost for a family of four: roughly $400-660/month, depending on community needs that month. Compare that to $1,500-2,500 for traditional family coverage in Texas.

But here's what really sold me: Unlike insurance companies, CrowdHealth doesn't profit from sickness. There's no incentive to deny your claim. The whole model is built on members helping members - mutual aid, not corporate gatekeeping.

It's healthcare that works like a community should work. And that's exactly what Think and Act Locally is about.

Learn how CrowdHealth works →

Full disclosure: This is a referral link. But you know the rule - sponsors support the mission, never influence the message. I've been a paying member since January.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

This Week's Must-Attend Events

Featured Events

Send us your events (david@thinkandactlocally.com)

Galentines Brunch Market

Junk Hippy Vintage & Handmade Market

Jackie's Brickhouse

Join PARTY PARROTS PIRATE'S POKER Kemah Lighthouse District for the pre-party events before Mardi Gras kickoff and Pirate Fest '26.

Pirates Poker Run & Pub Krawl will Kickstart Mardi Gras. Join the Pirates and Parrots of Party Parrots Saturday 31st Noon Parades in Kemah Lighthouse District(10:00 am lineup, judging 11am) and Pirate Fest 2026 with musical talent PRIDE OF BEDLAM, Master Bones and Zach Tate bands starting @1pm.

Local shopping in the Pirates Trading Post, Selfies with Live parrots and a trip to The Stockade at Jackie's Brickhouse!

Chili Cookoff at Galvenston Bay Brewing

Event Date: January 31, 2026

• Location: Galveston Bay Brewing
• Check-In Time: 8:30am
• Cooking Start Time: 9:00am
• Turn-In Time: 1pm

Eligibility

• Open to all individuals, teams, or organizations.
• Each team must have a designated Head Cook, who will be responsible for following all rules.
• Teams may have up to 4 members unless otherwise approved by event organizers.
• Cookoff entry ($40) must be paid ahead of time
3. Cooking Area & Equipment
• Each team will be assigned a 10’x10’ cooking space (or as space allows).
• Teams must bring all cooking equipment, ingredients, utensils, and supplies.
• Tasting cups, spoons, and one roll of paper towel will be provided to teams by the organizers.
• Propane stoves, grills, and camp stoves are permitted; no open wood fires.
• A fire extinguisher must be present at each cooking station.

Categories & Awards

Competition Chili (Red Chili only)
Awards are dependent upon the requisite amount of teams signing up (8 minimum) and will be given for:

• 1st ($150 and Gal Bay Giftcard), 2nd ($100 and Gal Bay Giftcard), and 3rd ($50 and Gal Bay Giftcard) Judges Choice
• People’s Choice ($100)

This Month

Upcoming Events

Art in the Park - Monthly at Dow Park, Deer Park

Movies in the Park - Monthly at various Deer Park locations

Check the Deer Park "Deer in the Spotlight" January 2026 Newsletter for more city events!

Coming Up

Monday, January 26 - La Porte City Council, 6:00 PM

Save the Date

Friday, February 7 - Father-Daughter Masquerade Ball, 6-9 PM at Sylvan Beach Pavilion ($15/person, register at LaPorteTx.gov/Register)

Tuesday, February 3 - Marketing SBA Session, 2-3 PM at La Porte City Hall

Saturday, February 21 - Mardi Gras on Main, 4-8 PM at Five Points Town Plaza (FREE)

Just Released!  Local Theory New Album - Flesh and Blood

WEATHER FORECAST

Bundle up, it's going to be COLD!!!

COMMUNITY VOICES

Letter of the Week

I just launched a personal Substack covering all my projects - homeschool, music, trading, and more. If you want the full picture:

https://rhinodave.substack.com/p/life-by-design-not-default

Up to 10 or more. A typical Harris County homeowner funds their city, county (multiple line items), school district, community college, hospital district, flood control district, port authority, and potentially MUDs or other special districts—each with separate taxing authority.

Unrivaled Travels

Great travel deals - Find out more click here

NEIGHBORS IN NEWS

A tip of the hat to Around La Porte

Our friends at Around La Porte dropped their January 2026 issue this week—16 pages of community coverage from the team led by Maggie Anderson Eddy (now in their 15th year of publication!).

This month's issue covers the consolidation election story, the incredible work of Loving La Porte volunteers, Blue Santa's record year, Fairmont Parkway improvements, and much more.

We don't compete with Around La Porte—we complement them. They report what's happening. We ask what citizens can DO about it.

Subscribe: $40/year delivered to your home Website: aroundlaporte.com

Facebook: facebook.com/aroundlaporte

Facebook Buzz

Liberty Watch

Your property tax bill isn't one tax—it's a bundle of charges from multiple governments, each with the power to raise your taxes independently.

The "No State Property Tax" Myth: Texas brags about having no state property tax and no income tax. What they don't advertise: local property taxes are among the highest in the nation. The state pushed the tax burden down to counties, cities, school districts, and special districts—then added layers of bureaucracy on top.

The Autopay Problem: Even if every taxing entity keeps their rate flat, rising property appraisals mean rising bills. Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) sets your home's value. When values climb, revenue climbs automatically. No vote. No public hearing on whether to collect more. Just a bigger bill in the mail.

This Week's Meetings:

Harris County Commissioners Court Tuesday, January 28 @ 10:00 AM 1001 Preston St, Houston Watch live: harriscountytx.gov

La Porte City Council Monday, January 26 @ 6:00 PM 604 W Fairmont Parkway

Deer Park City Council Tuesday, February 4 @ 7:30 PM 710 E San Augustine St

Pasadena City Council Tuesday, February 4 @ 6:00 PM 1149 Ellsworth Dr, 6th Floor

One Action This Week: Look up your property's appraised value on HCAD.org. Compare it to last year. Calculate how much your bill increased—without anyone voting to raise your taxes.

La Porte

• • ity Council: 
  • January 26, 2026 - 6pm
  • Location: 604 W Fairmont Parkway
    La Porte, TX 77571
  • Agenda: [Link to agenda]
  • Live Stream: Live here and Youtube channel
  • Link to most recent meeting Brief.
  • Link to most recent meeting Deep Dive.
  • Key Items: 

    About the Council

     

    All powers of the City and the determination of all matters of policy are vested in City Council. The Council executes the laws and administers the government of the City. The Mayor and the two councilpersons-at-large are elected by a majority vote of the qualified voters of the city at large. The city is divided into six districts and one councilperson is elected from each district by majority vote of the resident voters of the district. The Mayor and Councilpersons hold their respective offices for a term of three years or until their successors have been elected and duly qualified. The positions of Mayor and Councilpersons Districts 2 and 3 will be elected next in 2027 and 2030; Councilperson At-Large Position A and Districts 4 and 5 in 2025 and 2028; and Councilperson At-Large Position B and Districts 1 and 6 in 2026 and 2029.

     

    Agendas & Minutes

    The City Council meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 6:00 p.m. To view the most recent agendas and minutes, view the archive. Council meeting video is available at LaPorteTX.gov/MeetingVideo. To search and/or view past meeting agendas and minutes and historical records, visit the public portal at LaPorteTX.gov/SearchRecords.

    Council Documents

    • City Charter
    • 2023 Strategic Plan
    • City Council Rules of Procedure and Ethics Policy, updated October 14, 2024
    • City Council Conflict of Interest filings
    • City Council campaign finance documents (Per EC 254.0401(b)(e-1)(g) and (h))

   

  Cycle the City with Mayor Helton

  Join Mayor Helton for a monthly bike ride to connect with the community and explore the City of La Porte together! These rides will occur on the Third Tuesday of every month, starting at 6:30 pm, summer hours are at 7 pm.  The starting point will change each month so check back for the latest details to plan your attendance.  

   

  February 17 | 6:30 PM

  The February ride will begin at the La Porte Historic Depot Museum, 604 Park Street, La Porte, TX 77571.

   

  March 17 | 6:30 PM - TBD

Deer Park

• City Council: February 4th - 7:30pm
• Location: City Hall, 710 E San Augustine St
• Agenda: [Link to agenda]
• Live Stream: not available
• Key Items: Agenda not currently available for next meeting

• Meetings - 2025.12.16 (audio only) 

  • 7:30 p.m.
  • First and third Tuesdays of each month
  • Council Chambers at City Hall
    710 E San Augustine St.
    Deer Park, TX 77536

  Special meetings and workshops are held as needed. Those wishing to speak before council may do so by registering by 7:25 p.m. on the day of the meeting. For further information, call the city secretary's office at 281-479-2394.

   

  Agendas & Minutes

  Agendas and minutes are available online and posted on the city's bulletin board prior to the scheduled meeting .

   

  Public Comments

  Council passed Resolution 24-14 on the policy and rules of decorum on Public Comments during meetings.  

   

  Members

  The City Council consists of seven members, a mayor and six council members. The current members are:

  • Jerry Mouton Jr., Mayor
  • Sherry Garrison, Council Position 1
  • TJ Haight, Council Position 2
  • Tommy Ginn, Council Position 3

  • Justin League, Council Position 4
  • Ron Martin, Council Position 5
  • Georgette Ford, Council Position 6

   

  Mission Statement

  The Mission of the City of Deer Park is to deliver exemplary municipal services that provide a high quality of life consistent with our history, culture, and unique sense of community.

   

  City of Deer Park Vision Statement

  Deer Park is a vibrant, sustainable community; a safe place to work, play, and live, offering growth and opportunity to all residents and businesses.

   

  About the City Council

  The City of Deer Park has a council-manager form of government. Under this form of government, the elected City Council sets the policies for the operation of the city's government. The administrative responsibility rests with the city manager who is appointed by the City Council.

   

  Correspondence to the mayor and members of the City Council can be sent by email or mailed to:
  City of Deer Park
  P.O. Box 700
  Deer Park, TX 77536-0700

Pasadena

• City Council: February 4th, 2026 - 6pm
• Location: 1149 Ellsworth 6th Floor
  Pasadena, TX 77506
• Agenda: [Link to agenda]
• Live Stream:  Youtube channel
• Link to most recent meeting Brief.
• Link to most recent meeting Deep Dive.
• Key Items: 

SUBMIT YOUR CONTENT

Community events

Business features

Volunteer opportunities

Letters/Q&A

Email me - david@thinkandactlocally.com

Deadline: Thursday 5 PM for Sunday publication

Value4Value

A Different Way to Build Community

How Think and Act Locally Works

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No paywalls. No subscriptions required. Just real local content that matters.

We do feature paid sponsorships from local businesses - because supporting local prosperity is part of our mission. But here's our promise: Their support will never influence our message. We will always Think and Act Locally, speak truth about local issues, and put community first.

Three Ways to Provide Value

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• Share this newsletter with neighbors who care
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• "Hit people in the mouth" (spread the word about Think and Act Locally)
  
  

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Why This Model?

We believe in treating you like the responsible adult you are. You know better than anyone what value you're receiving and what you can contribute. This isn't charity - it's an exchange of value between neighbors building something together.

Our business sponsors are part of this value exchange too - they support local engagement while we support local prosperity. Everyone wins, and no one controls the message except our shared commitment to thinking and acting locally.

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David Campbell