More Details On The Hays County Commissioners FY 2018 Budget, Tax Rate

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.

Hays County, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court has approved an FY 2018 budget of approximately $371 million and set the tax rate at $.4450 per $100 valuation,  lowering it from 2017’s $.4600. By law, the tax rate must be set by September 30.

The majority of the increase from the prior year’s $179 million budget comes from voter approved bonds, including $100 million for public safety facilities, $25 million for road improvement bonds, and the final issue of pass-through road bond funds of $38 million.

The budget raises more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by $4,491,342, of which $3,312,952 is from new property 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 $2.9 million for 43 new full-time positions and personnel changes, $1 million for radio communications infrastructure; $1 million for flood mitigation projects, $850,000 for emergency services and law enforcement technology, and $500,000 for jail improvements and repairs.

While elected officials will not receive a salary increase, all eligible employees, including elected officials, will receive a longevity stipend per County policy. A three 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 $147,000 is budgeted for law enforcement positions that are included in the collective bargaining agreement.

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