County Judge presents amended budget proposing 7.5¢ tax‑rate increase

The County Judge opened the special meeting presenting a revised budget that the Court projects would support a tax rate calculated at 44.824¢, described as a 7.5¢ increase over last year.

Why it matters: the proposal rolls up to total expenditures of $38,226,221 with an estimated fund balance of $5,718,701.47 (about 14.96% reserve). "...tax rate calculated at, 44.824¢, which is a 7.5¢ increase over last year," the presiding official said when restating the roll‑up numbers. Commissioners asked for small clarifications to line items, but the presentation framed the tax‑rate change as necessary to maintain the proposed general fund and reserve targets.

The budget presentation also highlighted adjustments across departments — increases to certain fee projections, reimbursements programmed for specific grants, and transfers from capital and special funds back into the general fund. The County Judge said the budget assumes reimbursements (SS4A and HMP) will be received prior to closeout and that several fund transfers were increased to offset expenditures.

Next steps: commissioners requested final numeric checks and for staff to verify statutory authority for some proposed transfers; an updated document will be circulated and the Court will act on the budget at its next public meeting.