Van Zandt County commissioners on Wednesday set a proposed tax rate of 0.299600 per $100 of assessed valuation for fiscal year 2026 and voted to modify the posted budget after a short public hearing. The court said the adopted rate reflects the voter-approved rate rounded slightly below the maximum and that projected additional revenue would come from new property.

The action followed a public hearing on the budget and a detailed discussion among commissioners and the county judge about operating costs, new positions and rising expenses for health insurance, road materials and maintenance. The judge summarized the options previously published: the current 2025 tax rate of 0.30587, a no-new-revenue rate of 0.283747 and the voter-approved rate of about 0.299622; the court voted to use 0.299600 as the proposed rate for posting and required hearings.

The court discussed planned budget items that contributed to the decision, including a 3% across-the-board salary increase for county employees, additional positions (a civil attorney, a code/abatement officer for the fire marshal, dispatch positions for a new radio system and a jail maintenance position), and higher health insurance costs. Commissioners repeatedly noted that some of the new positions were requested by department heads during multiple public budget workshops and that contingency funds would be used if accounts run over.

During the public hearing, a resident criticized the court for past pay increases and expressed opposition to some spending. County staff responded that budget documents and workshops were publicly posted and available at the county clerk office and in the local paper as required by state law. After the hearing, the court voted to modify the posted budget to reflect changes developed since the original posting and then approved the motion to set the proposed tax rate and proceed with the modified budget.

The court also discussed the special road tax (stated as 10 cents) and indicated that road and bridge materials budgets had increased. Commissioners emphasized they had pared requested budgets and reviewed departments line-by-line during five separate workshops.

No vote breakdown by individual commissioners is recorded in the transcript excerpt beyond several commissioners stating they voted in favor; the court recorded a roll-call-style affirmation and the motion passed. The court said final adoption will follow the required notice and hearing process.

The court then moved on to other agenda items, including administrative and procurement matters.