Lavaca County adopts 2025 tax levy; court approves multiple administrative measures

Lavaca County Commissioners Court adopted the 2025 tax levy roll and approved a slate of routine administrative measures during its Oct. 27, 2025 regular meeting.

The court approved the 2025 levy roll as presented by the tax assessor-collector and voted on a series of related and separate administrative motions including authorization to pursue Voice over IP telephone services for county offices, an audit of fiscal year 2025 chapter 59 asset forfeiture funds, increases to line items in the abandoned motor vehicle fund (Fund 117) to match cash on hand, approval of a certificate of exemption from subdivision requirements for named property owners, and the bond for a reserve deputy.

Why it matters: The levy roll sets the county’s official property tax roll for 2025; the assessor’s handling of school district bills and the timing of those mailings affect when property owners receive and pay school taxes. The court’s approval of IT procurement and budget adjustments begins implementation steps that county staff must complete before contracts and transfers take effect.

Tax bills and due dates Deborah, Lavaca County tax assessor-collector, told the court tax bills were mailed last week but that bills for Hallettsville and Moulton independent school districts were withheld until after the election so the school tax rates can be finalized. Deborah told the court: “They’ll be due by January 31.” The assessor said the county must wait for school districts to adopt resolutions and for the final rate calculations before issuing the separate school district bills.

IT services: Voice over IP Michael Witt, the county IT director, presented a vendor recommendation to move the county’s telephone systems to Voice over IP service. Witt said the court received competitive quotes and recommended moving forward with the vendor identified in the materials; the court approved a motion to proceed and asked staff to bring a finalized contract back for signature. The vendor was referenced in the discussion as Vested Network LLC (also referred to on the contract paperwork as Best in Networks LLC). The court’s action authorized staff to proceed to contract development rather than approving a final contract amount at the meeting.

Asset forfeiture audit The court approved a request for the Lavaca County auditor to conduct an audit of fiscal year 2025 chapter 59 asset forfeiture funds for the sheriff’s office and the county attorney as cited in the meeting record. The motion to request the audit passed by voice vote.

Budget adjustments — abandoned motor vehicle fund County officials read into the record increases to specific line items in Fund 117 (abandoned motor vehicle) to reflect cash on hand as of Sept. 30, 2025. Line-item descriptions and balances were read aloud during the meeting; the court approved the adjustments by motion and voice vote.

Subdivision exemption and reserve deputy bond The court approved a certificate of exemption from subdivision requirements for the list of property owners read into the record and approved the bond for Zachariah Vela as a Lavaca County reserve deputy sheriff. Both motions passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Voice over IP telephone services (authorize moving forward with vendor and return contract for approval): Motion made by the judge, seconded by precinct 1; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Certificate of exemption from subdivision requirements for listed property owners: Motion made by precinct 1, seconded by precinct 2; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Auditor to conduct FY2025 chapter 59 asset forfeiture audit: Motion made by precinct 3, seconded by precinct 4; outcome: approved (voice vote). - 2025 tax levy roll: Motion made by precinct 3, seconded by precinct 4; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Increase budget line items for Fund 117 (abandoned motor vehicle) to match cash on hand as of 09/30/2025: Motion made by precinct 4, seconded by precinct 3; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Bond for Zachariah Vela (Lavaca County reserve deputy sheriff): Motion made by precinct 3, seconded by precinct 4; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Consent agenda (collection of routine items): Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Adjournment to Nov. 10, 2025 at 9 a.m.: Motion made by precinct 3, seconded by precinct 2; outcome: approved (voice vote).

What didn’t happen or requires follow-up - The court authorized procurement steps for Voice over IP service but did not approve a final contract; staff were directed to return with contract documents for formal approval. - The tax assessor indicated school district tax bills will be mailed after the election once district rates and resolutions are finalized; the separate school bills and final calculations remain pending.

Meeting details and next steps The court set its next regular meeting for Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. Minutes and any contract documents returned for approval will be scheduled on a future agenda.