The Hays County Commissioners Court approved a $356 million budget for FY 2024-25 and set the tax rate to $0.35 per $100 valuation on Sept. 17.
The tax rate increased by $0.0425 from the current tax rate, according to a news release.
What residents should know
This fiscal year’s budget is about $18 million less than the county’s previously adopted budget due to the completion of voter-approved construction projects, according to a news release.
Construction funds totaling $88 million will be used for voter-approved road and park bond projects.
Commissioners authorized $0.0215 to be added to the Road & Bridge rate, which will allow that county’s transportation department to address road maintenance needs throughout the county, according to a news release.
The county's general fund budget—totaling close to $158 million—absorbed several programs previously paid for by American Rescue Plan Act funds, including the Mental Health Court and Judicial Services along with additional magistrate judges and school resource officers, or SROs, in Hays CISD and Dripping Springs ISD. About $5 million of Hays County's general fund will go toward market increases for law enforcement positions.
Twenty-eight positions were added to the budget for numerous departments, and several positions equating to about $500,000 were also removed from the budget.
Quote of note
Hays County’s Budget Officer Vickie Dorsett said the court has always maintained a “conservative budget approach” while keeping the county tax rate low.
“However, as we continue to experience record growth, the need for additional staff, law enforcement, infrastructure and road improvements must also be maintained in order to provide our citizens a safe and thriving community,” Dorsett said in a news release.
