Hunt County adopts FY2025–26 budget, sets tax rate amid split court debate

HUNT COUNTY — The Hunt County Commissioners Court on Sept. 9 approved the county’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set a tax rate after a lengthy public hearing and internal debate.

County Judge Bobby W. Stovall presented the proposed budget and said, “This proposed tax rate will help address the growing concerns and needs of an exponentially growing Hunt County and strengthen law enforcement services by adding four additional requested law enforcement positions.” The court then voted to approve the budget with adjustments and later set the county’s tax rate at a level between the no-new-revenue calculation and the original proposal.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the county faces continuing service demands from rapid population and housing growth, deferred facility maintenance and rising operating costs. The budget and chosen tax rate determine how the county will cover road maintenance, jail and court operations, and other county services while balancing reserves.

Most important facts first: The adopted budget as presented showed roughly $53 million in projected revenue against about $55 million in proposed expenditures, producing a built-in deficit that the court moved to address through a combination of revenue adjustments and one-time transfers. The court approved a tax rate that…