Lubbock County adopts $322.6 million 2026 budget after heated debate over cuts and staffing

Lubbock County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22 adopted a $322,558,982 fiscal year 2026 budget after a lengthy public hearing and debate that included two failed amendments to shift additional funding to detention staffing and to roll precinct parks’ special tax rates back into the general fund.

The budget was presented by Lubbock County Auditor Kathy Williams, who said the county’s total proposed budget is $322,558,982 and that the general fund totals about $162 million. Williams told the court that the county realized a $15 million reduction in the total budget from last year, noted one-time increases such as a $4 million bump in motor vehicle registration revenue, and said the county will draw down reserves this year (roughly $6.8 million) to balance the budget.

The proposed budget drew public comment from Cassie Graham, who identified herself as a county employee and urged the court not to cut departmental funding, saying the cuts would harm morale and the county’s ability to serve children and victims. “When you underfund our departments, beat our morale, and run us off, who’s going to stand in the gap for the kids in this community?” Graham said during the public hearing.

Auditor’s summary and why it mattered

Williams said the budget…