Frequently Asked Questions

The City’s 2023-2024 fiscal year tax rate is  $0.69000 per $100 assessed valuation. Article V, Section 2 of the Mesquite City Charter states it is the responsibility of the City Council to set the tax rate. To calculate your City tax bill you must divide the taxable assessed valuation of your home by $100, and then multiply that figure by  $0.69000. For example, John and Jane Citizen own a $200,000 home. Their city property tax is calculated as follows:

• Taxable Assessed Valuation = $200,000
• Divided by $100 = $2,000
• Multiplied by  $0.69000 = $1,380.00
• City Property Tax Bill =  $1,380.00

Please note this is only the City’s portion of your annual tax bill, and not your total tax bill. 

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The value of property in Mesquite depends on which county the property is located and is determined by either the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) or the Kaufman Central Appraisal District (KCAD). The Central Appraisal Districts are separate governmental agencies authorized by the Texas Legislature. 

The City does not set the value of your home. DCAD and KCAD provide the City with your property value so the City can then prepare a tax bill which can be forwarded to your mortgage company or your residence for payment.

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The total sales tax rate in Mesquite is 8.25%.

No. The 8.25% sales tax is distributed among three separate entities as follows: 

• State of Texas - 6.25%
• City of Mesquite - 1.50%
• Mesquite Quality of Life Corporation - 0.50%

The state laws of Texas set forth guidelines that regulate the amount of sales tax local governments can charge. Generally, all cities in Texas can collect a 1% sales tax on taxable sales within their jurisdictional limits. To increase this percentage; however, a local election must be held authorizing an increase in the sales tax percentage.
 
The City of Mesquite has increased its sales tax percentage twice. In fiscal year 1992-93, citizens voted to increase the sales tax rate from 1.0% to 1.5%. There was a corresponding reduction in the property tax rate to offset the increased sales tax revenues.
 
In fiscal year 1998-99, the citizens again voted to increase the sales tax percentage by an additional 0.5%, bringing the local sales tax option to 2.0%, the maximum percentage allowed cities under current state law. Revenue generated from this additional ½ cent must be used for Transportation Improvements, Public Safety Improvements, Public Parks and Recreation Improvements. This sales tax revenue is administered by the Mesquite Quality of Life Corporation after approval by the Mesquite City Council.
 
 The State of Texas is responsible for determining its sales tax percentage.

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No. The City of Mesquite is not a member of DART.

The City’s  2023-2024 annual budget is  $355,416,568.

The City of Mesquite's  2024-2025 garbage rate is $26.25 for twice weekly residential service, blue bag recycling, and bulky item pick-up.

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Monthly water bills are calculated based on a customer’s actual water usage and consists of two charges – a minimum bill and a consumption charge. The customer’s meter size determines the amount of the minimum bill (most residential water meters are 0.625 inches). The minimum bill includes the first 1,000 gallons of water usage. Consumption in excess of 1,000 gallons is billed using a tiered rate and depends on the gallons used.

View the current rate structure and see an example of how a water bill is calculated here. 

Like water bills, monthly sewer bills are based on a customer’s water consumption.  However, sewer charges for residential customers are capped at 8,000 gallons of consumption.  The sewer bill includes a minimum bill of $18.96 which includes the first 1,000 gallons of water used. Consumption in excess of 1,000 gallons is charged at a rate of $7.45 per 1,000 gallons.

Find more information on sewer rates here.

The residential drainage fee is $5.00 per month per single family residence. The City's  2024-2025 commercial rate is 15 cents per 100 square feet of impervious area. This fee is used to meet federal storm water permit mandates and to fund drainage improvement projects throughout the city.

Interested parties may review a copy of the City's budget on the City’s website here or a physical copy can be found at the following locations:

• Mesquite Public Library
   300 W. Grubb Drive
   Mesquite, TX 75149
• Mesquite Public Library-North Branch
   2600 Oates Drive
   Mesquite, TX 75150
• City Secretary's Office
   1515 N. Galloway
   Mesquite, TX 75149
• Finance Department
   757 N. Galloway Avenue
   Mesquite, TX 75149

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