Hays County Commissioners Court Sets FY 2017 Budget, Tax Rate

Hays County, TX – At its September 20 meeting, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved an FY 2017 budget of approximately $179 million and set the tax rate at $.4600 per $100 valuation. The County’s fiscal year begins October 1, and by law the budget and tax rate must be set by September 30.

For FY 2017, the Court lowered the tax rate from the FY 2016 rate of $.4670 per $100 valuation. The Court expects to raise $3,792,503 more in taxes this year, due primarily to new property and improvements added to the tax rolls in one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.

The Court noted that County taxes are only part of any property owner’s overall tax bill since other jurisdictions – such as cities, schools and special districts – set their own tax rates.

The budget also includes 31 new full-time positions, $1.1 million to replace 23 fully equipped law enforcement vehicles, $1 million for replacing Transportation Department heavy equipment and $1.5 million for a new early warning system for low water crossings.

While elected officials will not receive a raise, a 3 percent merit pool has been budgeted for employees who are not part of the collective bargaining agreement for law enforcement, to be allocated based on performance evaluations.

A total of $1.7 million is budgeted for those law enforcement positions that are included in a Collective Bargaining Agreement to align salary with a new market study.

Once finalized, financial documents will be available for review online at www.co.hays.tx.us (Financial Transparency icon) and copies of the budget will be available at the County Clerk’s Office and the Auditor’s Office in the Hays County Government Center, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos 78666.