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Erath County discusses budget, proposes 1% fee for taxing entities that opt out of multiyear contracts
Summary
During a budget workshop, Erath County officials discussed FY planning, small personnel adjustments, a proposal to charge taxing entities 1% if they decline multiyear contracts to recover tax-assessor costs, and announced a vacancy on the Pecan Valley Mental Health Board.
Erath County Commissioners Court held a budget workshop that reviewed a near-term fiscal plan ahead of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1 and discussed a proposed billing approach for taxing entities that decline multiyear agreements.
Speaker 1 described personnel adjustments in several offices, saying Treasurer/administration staff worked with Valerie to realign two clerk positions “to better align with their job duties.” Speaker 1 said the court intends to finalize the budget and that the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
On the tax-assessor fee question, Speaker 1 proposed that any taxing entities that do not enter a fixed-rate contract with the county be charged 1% of the prior-year amount to cover the tax-assessor-collector’s costs. Speaker 1 said, “If anybody's not under contract with us at a set rate, we just charge them 1% of what it is.” The speaker added the county currently absorbs costs that they estimated at about $700,000 per year and cited Texas law in general terms, saying a tax assessor-collector “is allowed to charge for doing that a fair and equitable amount of what it costs you to do.”
When asked for feedback, an individual identified in the meeting as Joel responded, “I'm good with that.” Speaker 1 and other elected officials indicated the approach would be added to the budget process; no formal vote or contract change was approved at the meeting.
The court also announced an open, non-elected vacancy on the Pecan Valley Mental Health Board and invited members of the public to express interest; Speaker 1 said the board meets once a month. No appointment was made at this meeting.
Court officials asked elected department heads to continue reviewing budget materials and noted that two taxing entities had signaled they might prefer year-to-year arrangements rather than a four-year lock-in at a lower rate. The court did not adopt a final fee schedule at the meeting; staff were directed to include the 1% approach in budgeting materials for further consideration.
