San Patricio County sets proposed tax rates and schedules Aug. 25 public meeting

San Patricio County Commissioners set the county’s proposed tax rates for fiscal year 2026 and authorized the county auditor to file the proposed budget and publish required notices. The court also scheduled a public meeting to consider adoption of the tax rate at 9 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2025.

County staff presented the no‑new‑revenue (NNR) rates and the proposed rates. The court recorded the following proposed components (presented by county staff): a general fund (M&O) proposed rate of 0.292105, a proposed Road & Bridge rate of 0.080411, and an I&S (interest and sinking, debt) proposed rate of 0.037245. The total proposed tax rate numbers were discussed in workshop materials and were posted for public notice as required.

After the workshop the court voted to set the rates presented and to authorize filing the proposed budget with the county clerk and posting the materials on the county website. The court also set the public meeting to consider adoption of the tax rate for 9 a.m. Aug. 25, 2025. County staff reminded the court that once the county publishes the proposed rate it cannot be increased above the published amount without republishing the notice.

County Auditor Patrick Kiesnick reviewed fund balances and said the estimated general fund beginning balance is about $36,000,001.75 and that the fund balance percentage would be roughly 32.8%, which the auditor said is within the county’s fund balance policy and below a 35% top target. Commissioners discussed capital projects including the Justice Center and courthouse renovation and noted future large projects (a potential jail project) would be planned in later years.