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Ellis County moves to publish proposed tax rate as budget presenters warn of growth pressures
Summary
County staff presented the proposed FY2026 budget and asked the court to publish a flat tax rate of 0.273992; commissioners approved publishing and scheduled a Sept. 9 hearing after residents urged greater efficiency and coordination to manage rapid growth and infrastructure needs.
County financial staff presented the proposed FY2026 budget Aug. 19 and asked the commission to publish a proposed tax rate of 0.273992 — the same nominal rate used in the prior year — and to hold a public hearing on Sept. 9 for final adoption.
Ryan, the county’s budget director, walked commissioners through multi‑year fund balances, ARPA expenditures, and the permanent‑improvement allocation. He explained that ARPA funds that had supported prior projects are largely spent and that the proposed FY2026 plan anticipates allocating about $16.6 million to permanent improvements while projecting modest surpluses and contingency buffers. On the tax rate he said: “If you’re okay with keeping the tax rate flat at 0.273992, we will publish in the newspaper in the next couple of days and schedule a hearing on September 9.” The court gave staff direction to publish, noting a statutory newspaper publication deadline of Aug. 29.
Residents at the budget hearing urged caution and efficiency. Garrett Bailey, a Waxahachie resident and combat veteran, urged the county to prioritize procurement efficiencies and intergovernmental coordination in light of rapid population growth and several master‑planned communities coming online near existing two‑lane roadways. “The rapid pace demands that the commission focus on not only immediate spending, but also efficiencies and incentiviz[ing] employees to curb wasteful spending,” he told the court.
Other speakers, including Randy Bellamy and Sylvia Colson, warned of household strain from rising property values and urged preserving debt‑reduction plans and careful scrutiny of salary and expenditure requests. Commissioners and staff responded that long‑range thoroughfare plans and competitive‑bidding processes exist, but also noted limits imposed by state procurement rules and unfunded mandates.
Outcome: Commissioners directed county staff to publish the proposed tax rate (0.273992) and to post required notices and hearings; no final adoption of the budget or tax rate occurred at the Aug. 19 meeting — a public hearing and possible vote were scheduled for Sept. 9.
