County Judge presents draft $54M revenue plan, warns expenses exceed revenues

The County Judge opened the July 27 commissioners' budget workshop by saying it was his duty to present a recommended budget for the court’s consideration and cautioned that the draft is subject to change. He told the court he has projected roughly $34,000,000 in property‑tax revenue and about $20,000,000 in non‑tax revenue, for total revenues of approximately $54,000,000, and that projected expenses exceed that amount.

He explained that the draft includes a disclosed contingency and that departments historically include undisclosed contingency amounts that produce an opaque year‑end surplus. “What I have projected so far is dollars 34,000,000 in property tax revenue and approximately $20,000,000 in non tax revenue for a total of revenues of $54,000,000,” the judge said. He reiterated the budget on the table is a first draft and that the court can accept, modify or replace his recommendation.

The judge also walked the court through several large budget components that influence the gap between revenues and expenses: proposed capital outlays, leases and debt for equipment, the final ARPA allocation for communications work, and a placeholder for wage adjustments tied to a recently completed salary study. He noted the county aims to maintain a fund balance equivalent to roughly three months of operations (25%) and that prior years’ unspent contingency funds have helped maintain that level.

The judge asked staff to refine numbers and said he expects to submit a more complete recommendation in mid‑August so the court may act in a public meeting. The workshop format precluded public comment; materials will be posted on the county website for review.