Hays County Commissioners vote to approve budget, set new tax rate

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved the proposed budget and elected official salaries and allowances, and it voted 5-0 to set a new proposed tax rate.

Following a budget hearing and public comment regarding the tax rate, the court voted to set the proposed tax rate at $.35 per $100 valuation. 

A release from the Commissioners Court said the increased rate "aims to address critical areas of need within the county."

Those needs include the following, per the release:

• increased funding for Collective Bargaining Market Adjustments for a total of $5 million in an effort to recruit and retain law enforcement staff;
• added to the Road & Bridge tax rate in order to address critical road infrastructure needs throughout the county;
• created a Family Liaison position under the Judicial Services Division in order to have a consistent staff member as a liaison for communication between those incarcerated and their loved ones;
• expanded pre-trial diversion programs to reduce recidivism

“Hays County continues to experience unprecedented growth and with this growth comes the need for safe communities, infrastructure and road improvements. While the FY25 proposed budget does include a tax rate increase, the overall tax rate of .35 cents is lower than the 1995 tax rate by 6.52 cents,” said Hays County Budget Officer Vickie Dorsett. “The Hays County Commissioners Court has made it a priority to maintain a low tax rate for our citizens. With our continued growth and conservative budget approach, the county continues to offer a high level of service and safe communities for our citizens.”

An additional hearing will be held Sept. 3 at 1 p.m., and a final hearing on the proposed FY25 budget and tax rate will be held Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. at the Hays County Courthouse in San Marcos. 

More information about the budget can be found on Hays County's website.