San Patricio County Commissioners Approve 2026 Budget and Property Tax Rate

The San Patricio County Commissioners Court convened on August 25, 2025, to address several key financial matters, including the adoption of the budget for fiscal year 2026 and related tax rates. The meeting began with a motion to approve the agenda, which was seconded and unanimously carried.

The first significant item discussed was the order adopting elected officials' salaries, compensation, and allowances for the upcoming fiscal year. The court noted a substantial increase in one official's salary, attributed to state adjustments. A motion to approve this order was made and seconded, with the motion passing without opposition.

Next, the court moved to consider the budget for fiscal year 2026. A motion was made to approve the budget, which was accompanied by a reading of the budget details. The budget, prepared by the county judge and auditor, was deemed compliant with legal standards and was approved following a motion and second.

Following the budget approval, the court addressed the property tax rate for the 2025 tax year, which supports the fiscal year 2026 budget. A motion was made to approve the maintenance and operations tax rate, which was seconded. The total maintenance and operations tax rate was set at 0.372516, with a debt service tax rate of 0.037245, resulting in a total ad valorem tax rate of 0.40761. This rate represents a 9.46% decrease from the previous year, translating to a reduction of approximately $28.93 for homeowners with properties valued at $100,000.

The court then ratified the property tax increase reflected in the newly adopted budget, with a motion made and seconded, which also passed without dissent.

The meeting concluded with the approval of two items on the consent agenda: the acceptance of an optional fee for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for calendar year 2026 and the county auditor's monthly financial report for July 2025. Both items were motioned and seconded, receiving unanimous approval.

Overall, the meeting effectively addressed critical financial decisions for San Patricio County, ensuring compliance with legal requirements while aiming to reduce the tax burden on residents.