Waco Property Tax Explorer

Civic Participation Guide

Get Involved With Local Budget Decisions

Your property tax bill is split across four local entities, and each one has its own public meeting process.

City of Waco and Waco ISD usually drive the largest share for homeowners, so this page highlights where those decisions happen and how to give meaningful input.

Last verified: March 28, 2026

City of Waco

City Council controls the city tax rate and City budget adoption. Council meetings are the most direct place to speak on tax and budget decisions.

Schedule

  • City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month.
  • Work Session starts at 3:00 p.m. and Business Session starts at 6:00 p.m.
  • Meetings are held at the Bosque Theater, Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave.

Most Critical Meetings

  • Late summer budget cycle meetings and public hearings are the highest-impact moments for tax and spending feedback.
  • Track posted agendas for tax-rate ordinances, budget adoption, and public-hearing items.

How To Give Input

  • Register online by 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting, or call/email the City Secretary's Office.
  • You can also register in person beginning 15 minutes before the posted meeting time.
  • Agenda speakers are generally limited to 3 minutes, with special handling for public hearings.
  • Written public input can be emailed to the City Secretary's Office for distribution to Council.

Contacts

Key Links

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Waco ISD

Waco ISD trustees set district tax and budget decisions through regular and special board meetings, including an annual tax meeting.

Schedule

  • Upcoming board dates are posted on the WISD Board Meetings page with a downloadable annual schedule.
  • BoardBook publishes agendas, attachments, and meeting updates.
  • WISD's posted 2026 schedule includes an August Tax Meeting.

Most Critical Meetings

  • Regular board meetings where budget and tax items are posted on the agenda.
  • The annual tax meeting and any public-hearing items tied to tax-rate action.

How To Give Input

  • Public comment is limited to items posted on that meeting agenda.
  • To speak, sign up with the Board's designee before the meeting begins and specify the agenda item.
  • Speaker comments are generally limited to 3 minutes, with adjustments handled by the presiding officer.
  • Review the agenda in BoardBook before attending so comments align to posted items.

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McLennan County

County tax and budget decisions are handled by Commissioners Court. Agendas and minutes are posted in the Agenda Center.

Schedule

  • Recent Commissioners Court agendas show regular Tuesday meetings, commonly in the morning at the courthouse.
  • Use the county Agenda Center for the latest posted dates, packets, and minutes.

Most Critical Meetings

  • Budget work sessions and tax-rate public hearings announced in posted agendas.
  • Meetings with tax office, budget, or hearing items are typically where bill impacts are discussed.

How To Give Input

  • Use the Commissioners Court Participation Request Form to request speaking time.
  • Submissions are due by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the Commissioners Court hearing.
  • For non-agenda input, use the same form and identify your topic as General Citizen Comments.

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McLennan Community College

MCC Board of Trustees legal agendas and meeting packets show college tax and budget actions, including public-hearing notices when applicable.

Schedule

  • Board Meeting Documents are posted by month with legal agendas and related materials.
  • Recent notices commonly show dinner at 5:15 p.m. and regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the MCC Conference Center.

Most Critical Meetings

  • Meetings labeled as Public Hearing and Regular Meeting during budget and tax-setting periods.
  • Monthly legal agendas where financial reports, policy updates, and tax matters are listed for action.

How To Give Input

  • Check the monthly legal agenda before attending to confirm hearing type, start time, and location.
  • Use posted board materials to identify items where tax, budget, or policy action is scheduled.
  • For participation logistics, contact MCC directly before the meeting date.

Contacts

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Sources