Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Starr County approves balanced budget, keeps tax rate at 0.7101; raises staff pay amid insurance cost increases
Summary
Starr County Commissioners approved a balanced fiscal-year budget and held the tax rate steady at 0.7101. The court cited a $3.3 billion rise in property values, a roughly $2 million drop in jail revenue and higher health-insurance costs; it approved a 3% pay proposal with a $1,200 floor and $2,000 cap.
Starr County Commissioners on Sept. 1 approved a balanced budget for the coming year and kept the combined tax rate unchanged at 0.7101, the court said.
Judge Eloy Vera told residents the county’s total appraised value rose to about $3.3 billion since March, but a state limit on revenue recognition means the county cannot simply spend the full value increase. "The legislature does not allow us to use more than 3.5% year over year," the judge said, explaining constraints on how much additional revenue the county may take into account.
The court identified several budgetary pressures. Jail-housing revenue fell after nearby jurisdictions moved to other facilities; the judge said the county lost "to the tune of about $2,000,000 a year." Health-insurance premiums also rose, increasing costs by about $45 per employee per month; the court decided to split that increase with employees, passing roughly $22–$23 a month to staff while the county covers the remainder.
To help lower-paid employees absorb higher premiums, the court proposed and approved a 3% general salary increase with a minimum (floor) of $1,200 and a maximum (ceiling) of $2,000. "What that means is that our lower income people will get at least $1,200, which is a $100 a month increase," the judge explained.
The court said it will not raise the tax rate. "Taxes will remain the same," the judge said; commissioners voted to adopt the proposed rate of 0.7101 (the combined rate for general, road and bridge, drainage and INS).
On capital projects, the court said it has an earmark of about $2.4 million from Congressman Cuellar toward the courthouse renovation but will not wait indefinitely for federal loans. The judge said the county has obtained a strong credit rating and will pursue a local loan to avoid further delay in starting construction.
The court also noted bridge toll revenue is being set aside for a suspension-bridge restoration project and that the county has leased the Sarski building to temporarily relocate district and county courts during courthouse work.
The budget, tax rate and associated pay proposals passed on voice votes; the judge closed the public hearing before taking the formal motions to adopt the budget and tax rate.
