The Wichita County Commissioners Court voted Aug. 19 to propose a tax rate of 0.521303 per $100 of assessed value to support the 2026 budget and to allow required public notices to be published. The motion to set the proposed rate passed unanimously, 5-0.

Why it matters: the proposed rate is below the voter-approval tax rate but above the “no-new-revenue” rate; setting the proposed rate triggers public-notice obligations and allows the court to adjust the final rate later in the budget process.

The County Judge explained the action as an administrative step to permit required public notices. “This is not a final decision. This is just a proposed tax rate so that all of the public notice requirements that have to go out can be completed,” the County Judge said during the discussion.

Key numbers provided by staff and the judge during the budget discussion included a voter-approval tax rate of 0.525064 and a no-new-revenue rate of 0.508054. County staff also described the estimated revenue at those rates: about $54,400,000 at the no-new-revenue rate, approximately $55,800,000 under the budget’s proposed rate, and roughly $56,200,000 at the voter-approval rate. The judge and commissioners said the proposed rate is intended to cover rising costs including law-enforcement salaries, IT infrastructure, vehicles, equipment and health benefits.

The court’s motion was made by the County Judge and seconded by Commissioner Pincannon; the vote was recorded as five in favor, none opposed. Commissioners and staff noted further budget workshops and a public hearing scheduled for Sept. 4 where the court will continue deliberations and may adjust the final rate before adoption.