Grimes County adopts FY2026 budget and sets tax rate at 0.423077; judge moves contingency funds toward fairgrounds sign

The Grimes County Commissioners Court adopted the FY2026 budget and set the county property tax rate at 0.423077 per $100 of taxable value.

County Auditor Jesse presented several budget adjustments (revenue-line changes, three jail position status updates and rounding fixes for positions previously discussed). During a wide-ranging budget discussion, facilities staff and the auditor raised the condition of the fairgrounds sign (estimates ranged from about $55,000 to $95,000 depending on size and digital display options). Judge Joe Fowles proposed reallocating $50,000 from non-departmental contingency to the fairgrounds machinery and equipment line to begin sign replacement, with the understanding additional funds might be found from rollovers or departmental balances later this year.

On the tax rate, the court adopted the rate of 0.423077 for the 2025 tax year (maintenance and operations only). In the order read to the court, the rate was described as raising more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year's rate and that it would increase taxes on a $100,000 home by approximately $16.92; the motion to set the rate carried on a record vote (the court announced a 5-0 recorded vote). The auditor read the motion language required by state law and noted the procedural steps for adoption.

Next steps: The court directed staff to finalize the budget document with the discussed changes and indicated the sign-replacement plan will be refined as true quotes and funding sources are determined.