Hays County Judge Recommends FY 2018 Budget

The County’s fiscal year begins October 1, 2017, and by law the Commissioners Court must approve a budget and set the tax rate for the County by September 30.

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – At Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting Hays County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., presented a recommended Fiscal Year 2018 budget of $355,840, 5o8.00 balanced to the current tax rate of .4600.

The Commissioners Court also scheduled workshops for 10 a.m. on August 8 and 15 for discussion with department heads and elected officials about possible changes to the recommended budget.

The Court is scheduled to vote on the proposed budget August 22 and will also set public hearing dates for the budget and tax rate. All meetings are open to the public and streamed live and archived on the County’s website.

The County’s fiscal year begins October 1, 2017, and by law the Commissioners Court must approve a budget and set the tax rate for the County by September 30.

Among the County Judge’s budget recommendations are $1 million for flood mitigation projects, $1 million for radio communications infrastructure and $500,000 for jail improvements and repairs.

Another $147,000 is proposed for salary increases for law enforcement positions per the County’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, and $818,000 to fund a three-percent merit pool for employees and department heads. $2.5 million is proposed for 34 new employee positions and personnel changes. No funds were budgeted for elected officials’ raises.

All budget and planning documents are available online by choosing the Financial Transparency icon on the County’s website at www.co.hays.tx.us and opening the FY 18 Budget Planning folder. 

The Commissioners Court video of the budget presentation is here. A printed copy of the recommended budget is available for review in the County Auditor’s Office at the County Government Center, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos.

For questions about the budget, contact any member of the Commissioners Court or County Auditor Marisol Villarreal-Alonzo at 512-393-2283.