Frio County adopts $16.4 million budget and raises tax rate to 0.62 after public hearings

Frio County Commissioners voted Sept. 9 to adopt the county’s fiscal year 2024–25 budget and set the county’s total tax rate at 0.62. The adopted general fund totals $16,422,693 in expenditures, and officials said increased property values, not a discretionary cut or new levy, produced the advertised 13.25% effective rate increase.

Auditor Crystal Marquez told the court the proposed budget balances after staff adjustments, including returning $2,321 of unspent regional solid-waste grant funds to revenue and adding $25,000 allocations tied to contractual commitments with local entities. On one line item, she said, “Our total revenues for 24–25 is $16,422,693,” and that contingencies remain available should appraisals or invoices require later amendments.

The court opened and closed the statutorily required public hearing on the budget with no members of the public offering comments. On a record vote the commissioners adopted the budget as presented.

Separately, the court opened and closed a public hearing on proposed tax rates as required by state law. Tax statements from staff explained that the county’s proposed total rate of 0.62 represents an increase from 0.59 and, because of rising property values, is reported as an effective 13.25% increase. A staff summary said that, under the adopted rate, taxes for a $100,000 home would rise by about $72.51 for maintenance and operations.

Commissioners completed a record vote to adopt the tax rate; the motion passed and court staff noted documentation will be signed and filed in accordance with statutory requirements.

What happens next: county staff will finalize signatures and public notices required by Texas law, and auditor’s office materials will be incorporated into the official fiscal records. The court also approved several associated budget amendments and contingency transfers during the same meeting.

Provenance: The budget presentation, public hearing and adoption are recorded in the meeting transcript beginning with the auditor’s presentation (Crystal Marquez) and the subsequent record vote (see transcript segments SEG 1195–SEG 1651). The tax-rate hearing and record vote are recorded at SEG 1696–SEG 1831.

Ending: The commissioners closed the budget and tax agenda items and moved on to regular county business; staff said they will post the adopted budget and required tax-rate notices per state law.