Lavaca County keeps tax rate, adopts 2024' 25 budget after public hearings

Lavaca County Commissioners Court on Monday approved the county's 2024' 25 budget and kept the overall tax rate unchanged at 0.5132, the judge announced after a public hearing and unanimous vote.

The court acknowledged that the adopted budget will raise $916,104 more in property-tax revenue than last year (a 4.85% increase) and that $345,309 of that increase is attributable to new property added to the tax rolls, the County Judge said. The court voted in favor of the budget and the tax-rate motion on voice votes and show-of-hands recorded as unanimous.

Why it matters: The county said it intends to use part of its fund balance to accelerate road work. The County Judge told commissioners the proposed budget directs additional money toward road paving and maintenance and that the county will spend down part of the general fund—language that followed public concern about reserve levels.

Public feedback: Two members of the public spoke during the budget and tax-rate hearings. Frank Fisher, who identified himself at the public hearing, urged caution about using the county's rainy-day fund and questioned transfers from reserves for ongoing projects. Fisher said the rainy-day fund currently holds about $8.5 million and warned against relying on reserves for recurring costs. “The rainy day fund was established for emergencies and not to fund ongoing maintenance and operation,” Fisher said.

Stella Frank Fisher (who introduced herself separately at the tax-rate hearing) told the court that rising costs for food, fuel and insurance are straining residents and asked the court to consider a lower rate if possible.

Court actions and context: The court also approved routine statutory acknowledgements required under Local Government Code 111.008 that formally notify the public the budget will raise more property-tax revenue than the prior year. Commissioners approved modest salary adjustments for precinct-elected officials (justice-of-the-peace increases of $2,500 and constable increases of $1,000), adopted the full budget document and carried the tax-rate resolution (M&O 0.4137, FMR 0.0995, debt rate 0.0000).

What the judge said next: The County Judge emphasized a goal of steady taxation, saying the court wants a gradual decline in rates as valuations rise rather than sharp swings. He also highlighted road needs, estimating paving at about $150,000 per mile for the county's roughly 871 miles of county roads, and said the budget prioritizes roadwork and targeted reserve use.

What's next: The actions taken finalize budget and rate decisions for the fiscal year; departments will implement approved allocations, and the court flagged continued attention to reserves and future grant opportunities.