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Brooks County commissioners unanimously approve small budget transfers and review tax-rate options
Summary
Brooks County Commissioners on Aug. 5 unanimously approved three internal budget transfers covering internet costs, elevator maintenance and an SB22 line item, and held a budget workshop that clarified library staffing, reviewed projected surpluses and warned of a possible $150,000–$160,000 shortfall later in September.
Brooks County Judge Eric Ramos and the Commissioners' Court on Aug. 5 unanimously approved three small internal budget transfers and spent the remainder of the special session in a budget workshop reviewing revenue assumptions and service impacts.
During public comment, Irma Menchaca urged caution, saying the county should not be "on cruise control" with its budget and expressed concern that the library "has reduced hours," a point county officials later addressed in the workshop.
The court approved the bills and three transfers by unanimous roll-call votes (Yes = 5). Commissioners approved a $4,000 transfer to pay internet expenses, moved from account 012-5-0409-5451 (a line-item correction from 012-5-0409-5460). They also moved $500 from 068-5-0055-8107 (Part-time) to 068-5-0055-8143 (SB22), and $1,500 from 012-5-0409-5600 (Bidding Notices) to 012-5-0510-5206 (Elevator Maintenance Expense). Motions and seconds were recorded in the minutes; the motions carried unanimously.
Judge Eric Ramos led a budget workshop in which he clarified that reported reductions in library hours were due to staff taking sick leave or vacation and the recent absence of an AARP program rather than a formal staffing cut. The court reviewed two tax-rate scenarios: a "no-new-revenue" rate that the record shows would leave a projected surplus of $191,142, and an "effective" tax rate that would leave a projected surplus of $556,841 because property values have increased.
A County Auditor (not named in the record) cautioned the court to anticipate a shortfall of approximately $150,000–$160,000 later in September and asked the court to consider that when finalizing budget adjustments. The record also notes an ending loan for the sheriff's office that will reduce that department's expenditures and a "new contract with Jim Wellls" referenced during discussion.
Officials said they will bring a proposed permit policy back next week for review. The court discussed landfill service (a rural route), and the Brooks County Fire Association (BCFA) said it will take over costs of certain improvements while the county will continue groundskeeping and repairs. County staff indicated they will add the Blumer Building costs to the county's expenditures. The tax office reported that an oil company recently contacted the office regarding payment of back taxes.
The special session adjourned at 9:53 a.m.; the Court did not take any ordinance- or resolution-level action during the meeting beyond the budget transfers.
