Montgomery County commissioners adopt $372 million budget

The Montgomery County Commissioners Court adopted a $372 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2021-22 during a special session Aug. 20 with a 3-2 vote.

A factor for the increased budget is the county having to pay for the Joe Corley Detention Center this year, which is part of the county's special revenue fund that increased around 34%. Montgomery County Budget Officer Amanda Carter said the special revenue fund has no affect on property tax rates in the county.

"This year, after we reviewed with an external auditor, they recommended that we include that as part of the budget," Carter said.

Carter added if the Joe Corley Facility was not included in the budget, which added around $24 million, the adopted budget would be slightly under the fiscal year 2020-21 budget by around $2 million.

Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack voted against the adoption of the budget.

"This is not a true reflection of expenditures. I would rather find a better way to accommodate for this," Noack said. "There were a lot of things when we made the decision to contract with the feds for the Corley Facility that never came to fruition."

The budget was adopted with a supplemental sheet explaining the county's funds and what the budget would be without the funding being added for the Joe Corley Detention Center.

County Judge Mark Keough also voted against the adoption of the budget.