Commissioners advance 2027 budget plan, propose raises and $1 million reserve allocation

The Brewster County Commissioners Court voted July 28 to advance a draft 2027 budget that includes proposed pay increases for county workers and a plan to allocate $1,000,000 from reserves to capital and contingency needs.

County Judge (S1) told the court, "we've got a deficit right now of $251,006.42," and outlined a package of changes the administration says will balance the budget after a transfer from the county's LATCF account. The proposal raises wages by taking "5% on the midpoint" for wage categories (a payroll impact the judge said totals $203,004.94 once taxes are included), sets $2,600 flat increases for salaried employees and $2,000 increases for elected officials.

The court approved a motion to use remaining LATCF funds to cover the $251,006.42 shortfall and also approved an allocation of $1,000,000 in reserves divided as $100,000 for general contingency, $300,000 for road and bridge, and $585,000 to a newly established restricted capital projects fund. The judge said the capital fund will require court approval for any expenditure out of that account.

Comptroller Julie (S4) presented the underlying finances, reporting total cash and other assets of $20,250,427.90 and a general-fund surplus at the end of June of $1,371,202, while cautioning that remaining payrolls and year-end expenses will affect final balances. "At the end of June, the total cash and other assets on hand was $20,250,427.90," she told the court.

The court framed the approvals as directional rather than final: the judge said staff will continue refining the budget and that a final budget will be brought back for formal action on Aug. 11 (truth-in-taxation and publication steps follow, with adoption expected on Aug. 25).