Commissioners receive updated FY2025'FY2026 budget figures; staff reports $5.1 million general fund surplus before pending items

Cameron County staff presented updated fiscal-year 2025'2026 budget information to the Commissioners Court on July 22 and reported a preliminary general fund surplus of just over $5,100,000 based on current revenue projections and expenditures.

Budget staff said the appraisal district provided updated values and expected to certify values shortly, which will allow staff to finalize tax-rate calculations. The county's budget presentation did not yet reflect any new position requests or certain salary adjustments under consideration. Staff noted state-required salary changes for district judges had been factored in; other discretionary elected-official compensation would be set for publication next week.

Staff also provided illustrative costs for possible across-the-board salary adjustments for the general fund, noting rough order-of-magnitude figures for 3%, 4%, and 5% increases. The court was told that the inmate-meal services contract and communications/mobile phone expenditures remain under review and could affect next year's expenditures.

Commissioner Lopez moved to acknowledge the budget update; Commissioner Benavides seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. Staff said updated revenue and expenditure figures for parks and bridge systems would be provided next week to refine transfers and final positions.

Provenance: Budget discussion and figures presented by county finance staff beginning ~s=1339.62 and acknowledged by court ~s=1751.14.