[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6151091,"mediaKeyId","5505315-766f81fc1a27dbc5bd1b8c313e34074b","parentId",5505315,"title","Van Zandt County sees lower certified values, protested accounts; commissioners weigh contingency and Paul Michael building restoration","audioSeconds",2319,"startMs",809000,"endMs",3128000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5505315-766f81fc1a27dbc5bd1b8c313e34074b&start=809&end=3128","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5505315-766f81fc1a27dbc5bd1b8c313e34074b/thumbnail_809000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6151091/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Van-Zandt-County-sees-lower-certified-values-protested-accounts-commissioners-weigh-contingency-and-Paul-Michael-building-restoration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151091-3fa3f44f564fd289d404b6dc8c59dda8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177646&Signature=L~2~-AUOeYcTUNyMsv6YiRn-NzkOvCqqP0bCdapG-6YbYmmNqYddqlm9eZdFbvwyDfRq5W9imJeA1TPku2D5S29TsiYfa-w2NX0PgwiyfDza-Uljtn~XOQyiLr3bClJZ7n0uosuC~d2kT~pmMYACTy-qaiXaMJXXnQbMSnLImH89-pcmyYyw-VIlJRNWKKTXezPQvvE2GKpA0XhwrIAfBE5hJ0Of4nvwlHoABMwbC82v193qnBYzX4qaNjH-d0Z0pr~e9bAhrOdbm6wRlLM0baMRpiTBLExGQoqCxbaM6w0P34DOI8lsI9LZR63nMJv~RUxRT4rYnVd3sTjFWMpXaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Van Zandt, Texas","date","2025-07-29T18:51:48Z","article","Van Zandt County staff told commissioners that certified appraised values returned from the appraisal district were lower than preliminary April estimates and that several large parcels remain under protest, reducing near‑term revenue available for the fiscal year budget.

County staff presented a worksheet showing the effect of the appraisal‑district letter and the impact of protested values on estimated collections. Commissioners were warned by staff that the appraisal district’s letter explicitly stated the provided numbers should not be used to estimate revenues; nevertheless staff used the best available numbers to model several outcomes for the court.

Officials showed taxable‑value columns, frozen‑value amounts, and a calculation that used the current tax rate (as the county has used in its modeling) to produce an estimated property‑tax revenue figure in the low‑$20 million range after a standard delinquency adjustment. Staff also highlighted that new property additions would generate incremental revenue (presented at roughly $800,000 in one table), but that the net effect of lower base values and increases in frozen properties reduced total revenue estimates compared with fiscal year 2024.

Commissioners discussed whether to rely on new‑property revenue to fund raises and whether to preserve a portion of the county’s cash balance for capital needs. The county judge said the county had projected to add $3 million to reserves last year but finished the year higher than projected, noting a preliminary audit showing an ending cash balance larger than initially budgeted. Several commissioners expressed willingness to budget up to $1.5 million of reserves to buffer the proposed budget, while others cautioned against drawing on reserves before final receipt of certified tax‑rate numbers from the appraisal district.

That discussion dovetailed with questions about the Paul Michael Building restoration. Commissioners said they have committed some funds to the project but not a complete restoration budget; they discussed options including phasing the restoration, using fee or departmental funds where possible, or pursuing a bond. Staff said utility costs and limited fit‑out money had already been included in the proposed budget modeling to avoid unexpected shortfalls if portions of the building begin to be used.

Why it matters: Certified appraisals and the resolution of protested values determine what property‑tax revenue the county can lawfully count when filing a proposed budget. That revenue figure affects decisions about salary increases, new positions, contingency, and whether to fund capital projects immediately or defer them.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Van Zandt County Budget Workshop 7/29/2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff told commissioners that certified appraised values declined from earlier estimates and that a substantial amount of property is under protest; commissioners discussed contingency use, cash reserves and whether restoration of the Paul Michael Building should be funded from reserves, bonds or phased work.","taxTitle","Van Zandt County, Texas","taxId",63777,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6151095,"Commissioners review market adjustments, new hires and position reclassifications in proposed Van Zandt County budget",1283,4205000,5488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5505315-766f81fc1a27dbc5bd1b8c313e34074b&start=4205&end=5488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5505315-766f81fc1a27dbc5bd1b8c313e34074b/thumbnail_4205000.jpg","/articles/6151095/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Commissioners-review-market-adjustments-new-hires-and-position-reclassifications-in-proposed-Van-Zandt-County-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151095-f878d7df40dc3328fd0fd8255d7103c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177646&Signature=AihyY~IUoKsAL93kH5j-WKmA-oSYPc5n8RI8eLzWWnfTKT3MWdogJn2mgKXeDvYOpuHVNuxIcXME1TcxLMXYtZySXyrdwYV~WM4iV8YlR9Yeb8s0nEWBOIN2O1dP1WgGYobeTwnCzu3alCWQXsVfoTpOOhzVABK-~V-BqhtHNvHS2mT~Z7~tPTKU11Y-tfrqUTn2WmP4NX4lLZolUmoR4QRDpFC11t73u-WCmAalpC3R13emB6yjL9Fh-tHjBaZS~PjrW-fDUZ6klhTznrfdBucqFEkjKVxMXQYYuyZtKveGnUAPaf58S89hvCA7VP0viOafJ20NFe14319w9afedw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Zandt County commissioners on Thursday reviewed a batch of personnel proposals and market adjustments submitted by elected officials and department heads and directed staff to include several of them in the proposed budget filing while requesting clarifications for others.

County staff presented a grouped summary of personnel requests that included: creating an elections administration department (net increase shown at roughly $8,100), market‑rate increases for two court reporters and members of the county IT team, reclassifications for court and payroll support positions, the sheriff’s and jail staffing adjustments, two new environmental/inspection positions in the fire‑marshal’s office, and additional dispatch staff tied to a forthcoming radio system upgrade.

On compensation for hard‑to‑fill technical roles, commissioners asked to “meet halfway” on a proposed increase for IT staff after staff noted that neighboring counties pay substantially more for comparable positions. Court reporters’ pay was flagged as below peer counties, with staff recommending raises to reduce the need to hire expensive temporary contractors.

The court agreed to several items as presented, including the elections administration reorganization and a parity adjustment in maintenance staffing. Commissioners asked for follow‑up information on multiple items: the sheriff’s proposed conversion of a part‑time jail clerk to full time (including the clerk’s typical weekly hours), the specific funding source for a proposed civil‑litigation attorney position, and confirmation that the fire‑marshal’s requested positions can be funded from fees and permits generated by that office rather than the general fund.

Dispatch staffing drew extended discussion. County staff proposed two additional dispatch positions to support interagency radio interoperability; commissioners approved budgeting one position immediately and agreed to reassess adding a second after system implementation and workload monitoring.

The court also reviewed DA/district‑judge supplement arrangements that mirror recent state pay changes; commissioners kept the currently budgeted supplement level in place pending further discussion. Several commissioners stressed that elected officials retain authority to manage staff within their offices but that the court will scrutinize positions that appear unfunded or lack clear workload justification.

Why it matters: These personnel decisions determine recurring payroll and benefits and affect departmental capacity for public safety, elections administration and legal work. Some positions are expected to be funded by departmental fees; others will increase the general fund payroll baseline if adopted.","The court reviewed multiple position requests — elections administration, IT market adjustments, court reporters, dispatch, fire marshal staffing and others — and gave guidance to move several forward in the proposed budget while asking for clarification on hours and funding sources for some requests.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6151100,"Van Zandt County commissioners direct 3% across‑the‑board pay increase for 2025 proposed budget",3541,593000,4134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5505315-766f81fc1a27dbc5bd1b8c313e34074b&start=593&end=4134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5505315-766f81fc1a27dbc5bd1b8c313e34074b/thumbnail_593000.jpg","/articles/6151100/Van-Zandt-County/Texas/Van-Zandt-County-commissioners-direct-3-acrosstheboard-pay-increase-for-2025-proposed-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151100-5f4e4569745b9f74104965827ad6aaff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177646&Signature=ThldemXeWwFdtgx4XviY~5Xj8z0E3Uy-nLQ97nekIlWs2WHkpoiNz2~icbsUY3cyKJ97O6pmjGFtnCYyr2qKLOz1MTbN03tecBTy8uMDmaZ~u7aOI6NJ9FCT9n9QBdLtYg9dw31r7dSK-Wclq84eSDCGMILpGvXOpXdnIsJsk1jtCH-sj9Q23QBRXxwCEEek2M-NRraFMuaa0~si57f2qh27EwI2ZRDySC67DqV6g7AnsCmyQ8MIBI3wIbojbk50SN0V5VbUlUNQCLAmbtREII8kxbgmhDwYhdmCQQqSoo8ua9Gzy0tL6wxL5lCXgGdN9H1FYkysWyaJWdUgqeHVig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Van Zandt County Commissioners Court on Thursday instructed staff to put a proposed 3% across‑the‑board pay increase for county employees into the budget the county will file, while deferring a decision on increasing the county retirement match until staff can provide detailed cost estimates.

The direction came during a budget workshop in which the court considered multiple salary scenarios (3%, 4% and 5%) and discussed how falling taxable values and protested property valuations were reducing estimated tax revenue. County leadership emphasized the tradeoff between employee pay, pension match changes and other demands on available funds.

The court’s presiding judge framed the choices around revenue that the appraisal district has reported and the county’s legal tax rate options. Officials said the county’s current taxable‑value estimates produced an approximate collections figure in the low‑$20 million range; staff applied a 3% delinquency assumption to estimate budgeted property‑tax collections. County staff presented the projected additional cost to the operating budget if salaries were raised by 3%, 4% or 5%, and included a line for expected increases in health‑insurance costs.

Commissioners debated alternatives. Some members favored a broader 5% raise to retain staff and reduce turnover; others warned that a larger increase would make it harder to fund planned capital projects and building restorations. Several commissioners supported an approach that pairs a moderate immediate raise with a retirement‑match change (a “3% + match” hybrid), which would benefit longer‑term employees more than one‑time higher raises, but they agreed to postpone any retirement‑match change until the auditor provides firm cost figures.

At the workshop’s conclusion, the court reached consensus guidance to: (1) include a 3% across‑the‑board salary increase in the proposed budget to be filed by the statutory deadline; and (2) continue researching the financial impact and implementation mechanics of increasing the county retirement match (the clerk will return with exact dollar impacts and options). The court emphasized that this guidance is for the proposed filing and that adjustments are possible before final adoption after public hearings and receipt of certified tax‑rate data from the appraisal district.

Why it matters: County staff must file a proposed budget by the statutory deadline and then publish required notices and hold public hearings. The pay‑increase guidance will be used to populate the spreadsheet staff will file; a decision later this month will set elected‑official salaries separately per state law.","At a budget workshop, Van Zandt County officials agreed to include a 3% pay increase across county payroll in the proposed fiscal‑year budget and to delay a decision on boosting the retirement match pending cost estimates.","actionData","errors"]

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Van Zandt County sees lower certified values, protested accounts; commissioners weigh contingency and Paul Michael building restoration

Commissioners review market adjustments, new hires and position reclassifications in proposed Van Zandt County budget

Van Zandt County commissioners direct 3% across‑the‑board pay increase for 2025 proposed budget