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San Patricio County adopts FY2026 budget and sets 2025 tax rate; maintenance rate effectively lowered
Summary
The commissioners court approved the FY2026 budget, adopted a total ad valorem tax rate of 0.40761 (maintenance 0.372516, debt 0.037245) and ratified the property tax increase reflected in the budget; the court also approved line-item transfers and a 4% employee COLA.
San Patricio County commissioners approved the fiscal year 2026 budget and related tax orders during the regular meeting. The court adopted an order approving estimated revenues and proposed expenditures for 01/01/2026–12/31/2026 and read the tax rates on the record: maintenance and operations total 0.372516 (general fund maintenance 0.292105; road & bridge 0.080411) and debt service 0.037245, for a total ad valorem tax rate of 0.40761. The court stated the maintenance and operations portion will raise less for maintenance and operations than last year and quantified an approximate $28.93 annual reduction on a $100,000 home.
County staff outlined budget adjustments and departmental transfers that the court approved, including matched intoxilizer program revenue of about $4,229, DA expenditure rollovers (~$35,000), election employee rate adjustments, added utilities for animal control and a proposed $50,000 per precinct transfer to create a contingency for a road superintendent or engineer. The budget package includes a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for all county employees excluding elected officials, and staff presented multiple departmental transfers that the court approved by motion.
The court also formally ratified the property tax increase as reflected in the adopted budget on a majority vote. Treasurer’s reports and monthly financials were accepted on motion. Commissioners and staff noted the budget had been posted for public inspection and adjustments were made consistent with required public hearing notice and law.
Next steps: implementation at fund level as authorized; staff to proceed with line-item transfers and department-level adjustments recorded in the minutes.
