Burleson County adopts FY2025 budget and sets 2024 tax rate at 0.4600, a 17.18% effective increase

County Judge Keith Schroeder and the Burleson County Commissioners unanimously adopted the county’s FY2025 budget and approved a 2024 property tax rate of 0.4600 during a regular meeting on Sept. 9, 2024 in Caldwell.

The court’s recorded vote on the budget showed Judge Keith Schroeder and Commissioners Dwayne Faust, Vincent Svec, David Hildebrand and Robert “Bobby” Urbanosky voting Aye. The adopted tax rate — composed of a maintenance and operations component of $0.37675 and an interest and sinking/ farm-to-market component of $0.07500 — was described in the meeting record as an effective 17.18 percent increase in the tax rate.

Why it matters: Adopting the budget and tax rate establishes spending and revenue levels for the county’s fiscal year and affects property owners countywide. The court opened public hearings earlier in the session on elected officials’ pay, the proposed budget and a proposed 2024 property tax increase before taking the final votes.

Votes at a glance

• Adopt FY2025 County Budget — Moved: David Hildebrand; Second: (record) — Outcome: adopted (record vote: Keith Schroeder, Dwayne Faust, Vincent Svec, David Hildebrand, Bobby Urbanosky — Aye).

• Adopt 2024 property tax rate 0.4600 (M&O $0.37675; I&S/FM Road $0.07500) — Moved: David Hildebrand; Second: Dwayne Faust — Outcome: adopted (record vote: unanimous).

• Ratify property tax increase reflected in FY2025 budget — Outcome: ratified (unanimous).

Other formal actions and approvals

The court also approved a series of routine items, all by unanimous vote: consent agenda items (including adoption of August 2024 minutes and multiple departmental budget amendments), acceptance of donations (a $1,000 contribution from Chilifest for Keep Burleson County Beautiful and a $2,000 donation to the Burleson Health Resource Center), deputation of Diane Hoefling to county and district court compliance roles, approval of 2025 Sheriff’s and Constable’s fees, ratification of a $4,900 contract to Terracon Consultants, Inc. for a threatened and endangered species assessment related to the Mallard Drive Street and Drainage Improvements Project, interlocal agreements (including one with the City of Caldwell for the Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library and one with the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District), approval of the Pleasant Prairie Subdivision, adoption of a Road & Bridge Materials Procurement Policy, appointment of Melissa Weichert to the Burleson County Historical Commission (term through Dec. 31, 2024), and acceptance of a General Victim Assistance Grant (FY2025, CFDA 16.575) for $61,928.87 with a $27,645.14 cash match.

Department updates and public comment

During department reports, Chief William “Bill” Rios told the court the jail population was 67 (58 male, 9 female) and noted vacancies in patrol (two positions) and one part-time nurse position in the jail. Sgt. Stohler reported continued coordination with border control and the Department of Public Safety. Grant writer Raileen Murray briefed the court on a Department of Transportation application, and Elections Administrator D.J. Oliver urged residents to use early voting for the upcoming general election. In public forum, Steve McCoy provided a year-to-date report through June for Haven Animal Rescue of Texas (attachments were provided to the court record).

Next steps and procedural notes

The court authorized payment of bills and adjourned the meeting. Several actions taken — including the budget and tax-rate adoption — were recorded in the minutes; other approvals were routine contract, personnel and policy actions intended to implement county operations for FY2025.