Hunt County judges, commissioners press for balanced 2025–26 budget as revenue, raises, and staffing requests loom

Judge called the June 26 Hunt County Commissioners Court meeting to discuss the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and urged the court to form a consensus on whether to aim for a balanced budget or continue the county’s recent practice of relying on growth.

The court heard that certified revenues and the final appraisal roll that will set the county’s taxable value are not yet available; the judge said the county must publish a proposed budget by Aug. 15 and will not know the certified rate until August. The judge said growth has been supporting prior budgets and that continuing deficit budgets risks catching up to the county.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the court faces simultaneous pressure to fund staffing requests — including seven or eight new positions discussed by department heads — and to keep property taxpayers protected from large rate increases. Commissioners repeatedly said public safety (law enforcement, courts, jail, prosecution and probation) consumes roughly 65% of county spending and will be prioritized in decisions.

Details the court discussed included: - Revenues and timing: The judge said recent unofficial estimates suggest modest revenue gains (the judge estimated roughly $3.5 million more than last year, with about $1 million of requests already voiced at a previous hearing). Commissioners noted they will not have a certified appraisal roll until August and therefore must work from projections now. - Pay raises and benefit costs: Commissioners discussed a proposal for an across‑the‑board raise (the court discussed a 3% example). Staff cited an illustrative fiscal effect: a 3% pay increase would add about $655,000 in base salary costs countywide; commissioners were told benefits/withholdings would add roughly 15% in employer costs (retirement, FICA, insurance, etc.), increasing the total payroll cost beyond the base salary figure. - New positions and “bucket” funding: A number of departments have requested new positions. Commissioners discussed restricting routine in‑year merit/promotional spending by returning unused departmental payroll authority to a central “bucket” at fiscal year‑end and then permitting awards only by court approval or via a controlled process. County staff reported a snapshot total of $86,007.84 of salary‑line funds currently sitting unused within departmental budgets; that figure excludes associated employer costs (retirement, workers’ compensation, FICA). - Budget posture: Multiple commissioners expressed a preference to “attack” the deficit and aim for a balanced budget rather than continuing to rely on uncertain growth; others said some flexibility may be necessary but agreed the court must pick a target soon so department heads can plan.

What the court directed next: The judge and commissioners agreed to continue budget hearings, gather clearer revenue numbers after the appraisal roll is certified, and workshop personnel policy proposals (see related article on personnel policy and HR). Staff will produce updated payroll and benefits dollar amounts for specific raise scenarios for the court to review. The court also discussed lowering the assumed tax collection rate from 100% to a lower planning figure and mentioned earlier practice of budgeting at 97% for collection.

Ending: No formal budget vote or tax‑rate decision was taken on June 26. Commissioners scheduled further budget hearings and directed staff to return detailed, line‑item numbers — including revised payroll cost estimates — so the court can set a target before the Aug. 15 publication deadline.