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Bell County unveils FY2025 budget; court sets preliminary tax‑rate notice to fund jail staffing and public safety
Summary
The court presented the proposed FY2025 budget Aug. 12, proposing a total tax rate of 0.3445 per $100 (Bell County 0.3237 plus road district 0.0208) to fund a jail expansion and public‑safety pay and staffing increases. The court set the proposed rate for public notice (vote carried; four in favor, one present‑not‑voting) and scheduled hearings in late August.
Bell County Commissioners Court presented the county’s proposed FY2025 budget Aug. 12 and set a preliminary tax‑rate notice to begin the statutorily required public‑hearing process.
The court’s proposed operating budget presents general‑fund revenues and expenditures at roughly $160 million and prioritizes public safety. The proposal includes staffing 66 new jail positions to open a planned jail expansion and significant pay‑plan adjustments for public‑safety officers, including a meaningful entry‑level increase for deputy sheriffs. County officials said bringing inmates back from out‑of‑county contracts as the local facility reopens will produce roughly $2 million in savings next fiscal year that partially offsets staffing costs.
The court approved using 0.3445 per $100 assessed value as the proposed tax rate for notice and hearings: Bell County’s portion is 0.3237, and the Bell County Road District portion is 0.0208. The judge noted the required state notice language that this budget would raise more property tax revenue than last year. Commissioners scheduled public hearings for Aug. 21 (tax‑rate hearing) and Aug. 26 (budget and adoption hearing). The court emphasized it may adopt a lower final rate but cannot exceed the published 0.3445 rate.
County officials also reviewed long‑term financial metrics: Bell County’s AA+ bond rating, a projected unassigned fund balance above the minimum reserve (estimated around 3.6 months), and projected sales‑tax growth described as modest. Staff also highlighted state‑mandated services that consume a portion of the county tax rate. The proposed budget and supporting materials will be posted on the county website for public review prior to the hearings.
