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Starr County officials propose modest tax cut, 3% across-the-board pay increase amid public concerns
Summary
At a Sept. 17 public hearing, Starr County officials outlined a proposed budget that offers a 3% raise for county employees (with a $1,200 minimum and $2,400 cap) and a one-cent reduction in the property tax rate; a resident raised concerns about constables’ visibility, trash removal and appraisal-driven tax increases.
Presiding Official opened a public hearing Sept. 17 at the Starr County Commissioners Court to review a proposed county budget that would give most county employees a 3% pay increase, with a $1,200 floor and a $2,400 ceiling, and reduce the county’s property tax rate by one penny.
The Presiding Official said the raise structure is intended so that lower-paid employees receive a meaningful increase even when a straight 3% calculation would produce very small dollar gains. “What we’re proposing is a an increase of pay increase across the board of 3% for all employees, with a floor of 1,200 and a ceiling of 2,400,” the Presiding Official said. He described the county’s position as fiscally healthy and said the court has lowered the tax rate by about 6¢ over five years.
Why it matters: County…
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