Hardin County holds public hearings on fiscal 2026 budget and proposes slight cut to tax rate

Hardin County Commissioners Court on Aug. 26 held public hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and on a proposed tax rate of 0.496965 per $100 valuation but took no formal adoption votes. The court’s presiding official summarized the budget and the tax-rate notices and invited public comment before adjourning the special meeting.

The court’s summary showed total proposed expenditures of $30,796,366 and estimated revenue of $30,734,645, leaving a projected shortfall of $61,721. The presiding official said that amount is planned to be covered by a fund balance in the county’s interest and sinking fund tied to the certificate of obligation on the county annex, noting this is the final year to pay that note. “The amount of proposed revenue or estimated revenue is $30,734,645,” the presiding official said.

The court noted the current adopted budget for the year ending Sept. 30 is $29,525,552 across four funds. The presiding official…