Lavaca County Commissioners Approve 2025 Budget and Property Tax Adjustments

The August 25, 2025, Regular Called Meeting of the Lavaca County Commissioners Court focused on several key financial and administrative matters, including budget approvals, tax rates, and public safety measures.

The meeting commenced with a discussion on the proposed budget, which is set to raise property tax revenue by $11,664,971, marking an 8.43% increase from the previous year. The court acknowledged the revenue from new properties added to the tax roll, totaling $327,063. A motion to acknowledge this increase was made and passed unanimously.

Next, the court addressed the salaries of elected officials, confirming that no raises would be implemented this year, thus no publication was necessary. A motion to set the salary expenses was made and approved without opposition.

The court then adopted the Lavaca County budget for 2025-2026, incorporating minor changes as discussed. This motion also passed unanimously, with all members raising their hands in support.

Following the budget, the court approved the property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, setting it at 0.5497. This includes a maintenance and operations rate of 0.4464 and a farm-to-market road rate of 0.1033. The court emphasized the importance of transparency regarding existing liabilities despite the absence of a debt rate.

The meeting continued with the approval of plans for collecting records management fees for both the county and district clerk's offices, which were passed without discussion. The court also appointed presiding judges for the upcoming election cycle and approved an engagement letter for external audit services for the fiscal year ending 2025.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public safety, including the acknowledgment of Governor Greg Abbott's disaster declaration in response to wildfire dangers. The court ratified a burn ban initially implemented on August 18, 2025, due to rising fire risks, with a recommendation from local fire chiefs.

The court also discussed and approved several agreements related to law enforcement, including a memorandum of understanding for training personnel in immigration checks and an increase in sheriff and constable service fees by $25.

In closing, the court approved a lease-to-own agreement for new office equipment and discussed the demolition of an abandoned building in Hallettsville, moving forward with advertising for bids.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the court's commitment to fiscal responsibility, public safety, and efficient governance, with several motions passing unanimously, reflecting a collaborative approach among the commissioners.