County Budget Proposal Includes New Positions and Significant Revenue Increases for 2026

The Collin County government meeting on August 25, 2025, focused on the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, highlighting significant financial allocations and personnel changes.

A key discussion point was the budget for the healthcare foundation, which has struggled to be self-sufficient since 2017. The foundation will receive $3.8 million from the general fund in 2026, a decrease of $100,000 from the previous year. This fund also anticipates $1.9 million in other revenues, resulting in a total proposed budget of $6.8 million, reflecting an 11.6% increase due to the merging of the bioterrorism group with healthcare services.

The overall budget for Collin County is projected at $586.4 million, marking a 5.6% increase in estimated revenues compared to last year. The proposed budget includes $388.7 million in property taxes and $197 million in other revenues. Notably, the budget also accounts for an $18 million one-time expenditure for retiree cost-of-living adjustments, leading to a total proposed budget increase of 12.4%.

Personnel changes were also a significant focus, with the proposed budget including 2,162.5 full-time equivalent positions, an increase from the previous year. New positions span various departments, including human resources, the district attorney's office, and juvenile probation, among others. Additionally, the meeting addressed position swaps within departments, ensuring efficient resource allocation without impacting the overall budget.

The meeting underscored the county's commitment to enhancing healthcare services and managing its financial resources effectively, setting the stage for the upcoming fiscal year.