Commissioners hear robust FY2026 status report, begin FY2027 budget workshop

County budget staff presented a midyear status report and opened the first FY2027 budget workshop, telling the Commissioner's Court the General Fund is in a strong position. "Total revenue stands at $331,900,000 or 96% of projections," the presenter said, adding that property-tax collections were at 99% as of June and interest earnings were above budget at 113% of the anticipated amount.

The presentation noted a $184,000,000 change in fund balance across funds and listed $46,000,000 in departmental budget requests under review, including about $26,000,000 in personnel-related requests. Commissioners and staff discussed the timing of major expenses, potential transfers to the road-and-bridge fund (staff noted a working target of about $15,000,000), and the need to present a five-year outlook with the proposed budget. "By September 15 we should have another presentation of the proposed budget," staff said, with public hearings on the tax rate and budget planned for Sept. 22.

Discussion focused on priorities and constraints: several commissioners pressed for more road paving funds and asked staff to model at least $2,000,000 per precinct for road-and-bridge, while others highlighted savings from reduced out-of-county jail costs and asked that those savings be returned to the general fund. The presenter said the requests will be reviewed and refined and that the next workshops will supply updated figures.

The court also reviewed proposed pay-plan adjustments affecting elected officials; staff outlined proposed increases (15% for the county judge base salary; 16.6% for commissioners; and 12% for other elected offices) and said statutory notice to elected officials would be issued in short order. No final decisions were made at the workshop; staff emphasized the session was informational and that formal adoption steps remain on the calendar.