Johnson County sets Sept. 8 public hearing on proposed 2025–26 budget; court previews payroll, law-enforcement and capital priorities

The Johnson County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 set a public hearing and final vote for 9 a.m. on Sept. 8, 2025, on the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and the 2025 tax rate and reviewed a budget proposal the judge described as “flat other than the 1¢ voter-approved transportation bond.”

The court’s proposed combined no-new-revenue rate, including an unused increment, is 0.375905 and the adjusted voter-approval tax rate is 0.419743, the auditor’s office reported. County leaders said the all-in tax rate under the proposal would rise from 37.9276¢ to 38.9276¢ per $100 of taxable value—an increase driven solely by the previously voter-approved transportation bond.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the budget focuses on retention and recruitment for county employees, a major pay adjustment for law enforcement and continued cash funding of capital projects so the county can avoid debt. The court also previewed large information-technology investments and an electronic evidence system intended to speed prosecutions.

The court voted unanimously to set the Sept. 8 hearing date for the budget and also set a Sept. 8 hearing and vote on the tax rate. Commissioner Bailey moved to set the dates; Commissioner Howell seconded both motions and both carried by voice vote.

What the budget would do - Personnel and pay: The proposed budget includes a 2.3% cost‑of‑living adjustment tied to published CPI data and would complete the civilian longevity plan begun last year. Officials told the court that the full-year cost of the law-enforcement market adjustment in this plan is about $1.6 million and countywide COLA costs about $1.5 million. The auditor projected the county’s overall tax revenue (general fund) under the proposal at roughly $84.5 million and Farm‑to‑Market/Road revenue at $12.25 million.

- Law enforcement and public safety: The proposal funds the largest law‑enforcement pay…