County finance staff lays out FY26 schedule, preliminary taxable values and tax-rate scenarios

McLennan County finance staff presented the FY26 budget development schedule, preliminary taxable values and preliminary tax-rate scenarios to the Commissioners Court during a budget update staff asked the court to record.

Frances (county finance director) told commissioners the county's preliminary taxable value is about $30,700,000,000 after adjustments and exemptions and that the no-new-revenue and voter-approval tax-rate calculations would be re-run when the appraisal district certifies values on July 25. "So officially, we'll kick off budget workshops on July 1," Frances said, outlining a workshop calendar in July and public hearing dates in late July and August for tax and budget adoption.

Staff explained how the no-new-revenue rate keeps tax revenue flat on identical properties while the voter-approval rate includes an additional allowance tied to a three-year unused increment; Frances showed illustrative levies under different rate assumptions and noted the wide gap between the no-new-revenue and voter-approval scenarios. Staff emphasized that any final decision about tax rate and adoption will follow statutory notice and public-hearing requirements under the Local Government Code and Tax Code.

Commissioners and staff discussed timing risks tied to potential state legislation and market changes that could affect financing plans presented elsewhere on the agenda. The finance director said the county will provide a detailed budget binder on June 3 and preliminary budget worksheets around June 16 to help commissioners prepare for July workshops. The court voted to approve the presentation for recording purposes.