Uvalde County adopts $50.4 million budget, approves proposed tax rate after public hearing

Uvalde County Commissioners voted to adopt the 2024–25 county budget totaling $50,434,481.12 and to approve a proposed tax rate of 0.5741 as part of the Truth in Taxation process. The vote to adopt the budget carried 5–0 in open court.

Alice, the county finance presenter, told the court the budget raises $1,169,470 more in property tax revenue than last year (an 8.2% increase) and that new property added to the tax roll will raise $294,128. She presented major fund totals and noted the county's budget is funded at the VATR rate, which she stated is slightly less than last year's rate.

During the public hearing several residents criticized what they called growing local government spending and asked why certain offices were funded at current levels. Diana Alvedo Carew asked whether the county could eliminate the Elections Administration Office (which she referenced as a $350,000 line item) and reassign that money to other priorities. Another speaker criticized elected-official salaries and presented concerns about frontline staff compensation while elected officials' pay increases.

Commissioners responded that portions of the general fund contain state-mandated (unfunded) obligations and that when adjusted for inflation the proposed net revenue increase was smaller than nominal figures might suggest. The court set a public hearing on the tax rate for Sept. 23 and adopted the budget by record vote.

Other finance actions taken that morning included adoption of the 2024–25 salary fund and continuation of the county's $10 optional vehicle registration fee for road and bridge funding. The court also accepted a number of contracts and recommended technology upgrades as part of the adopted budget.