Williamson County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to adopt the $560.1 million fiscal year 2023-24 budget and the new tax rate at an Aug. 29 meeting.

Overview

The total budget is made up of three funds: a $318.1 million general fund, a $72.3 million road and bridge fund, and a $169.6 million debt service fund.

The budget includes funding for 45 new positions, including six deputy sheriff officers and staff for a new EMS station in Liberty Hill.

Other notable provisions in the budget include:

  • $13.8 million for the county's Long Range Transportation Plan
  • $3.5 million for a 4% merit pay increase for civilian employees
  • $2 million for new law enforcement cameras and camera storage
  • $887,000 increase to the law enforcement pay chart
  • $16.2 million for capital improvement projects in the general fund
  • $14.6 million for improvements in the road and bridge fund
  • $20 million in debt defeasance

What residents should know



The newly adopted tax rate is $0.377445 per $100 valuation, compared to the FY 2022-23 rate of $0.375608 per $100 valuation. The higher tax rate combined with increased property valuations will lead to the average homeowner in Williamson County paying $130 more in taxes for FY 2023-24, according to a Williamson County press release.

Also of note

On Aug. 29, the Williamson County Deputy's Association held a press conference to address ongoing disagreements with the commissioners court over staffing shortages.

The association's President Charles Duvall said the county does not have enough officers to serve the its growing population and residential development. Duvall said an additional 445 deputy officers are needed to meet the national average of 2.8 deputies per 1,000 county residents, according to data from the FBI.


County Judge Bill Gravell delivered a statement in response to the press release.

"If we funded what the sheriff's deputies association is asking for, we would have to set a tax rate that would be so offensive that it would anger our citizens," Gravell said.

Gravell said in the past three years, the commission has increased budget provisions for law enforcement by more than 26%.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said despite concerns about population growth, the number of service calls was too low to justify a larger force.


Looking ahead

The Williamson County fiscal year begins in October and runs until September 2024.