Commissioners: Funding must keep pace with growth
GEORGETOWN — Williamson County residents
will see a property-tax increase for Fiscal Year 202526 under a rate approved by county commissioners to support a $700 million budget.
In Wednesday’s specialcalled session, commissioners voted on a county tax rate of slightly more than 41 cents per $100 assessed property value, which will increase property taxes about $122 annually on the average residence.
“No one likes their taxes increased. We wouldn’t do it unless we felt it was critical to the needs of the county,” said County Judge Steven Snell.
The commissioners approved a total county budget of $702,428,992, which includes the general fund, roads and bridges, and paying down debt.
Commissioners said they are trying to plan for future growth and needs. Officials said this is the highest rate, representing a 3.4% increase over the last fiscal year, that commissioners can approve without triggering a rollback election.
The current rate until the new one locks into place Oct. 1
“
We wouldn’t do it unless we felt it was critical to the needs of the county.”
— Williamson County Judge Steven Snell is just under 40 cents per $100 valuation, or $0.399999.
Several factors are driving the county’s growth, including hightech industries, officials
said.
In the last few years, Wilco has seen the advent of Samsung Austin Semiconductor in Taylor, production geared to space exploration in Cedar Park, proposed data centers in Hutto and Taylor and a swelling population, with Williamson County named the 10th fastestgrowing county in the country. Hutto is also the ninth fastest-growing city in the United States, according to government figures.
The county’s population today is about 727,000 residents, but that number is expected to more than double by 2050 to 1.6 million, demographers said.
During the meeting, county officials gave a breakdown of the allotments:
General-fund budget
The general budget fund pays for the county’s administration costs, public safety departments and support services, such as human resources and technology services. Recent salary increases for civilian employees, who received a 2% raise and 2% in cost-of-living increases, and an average of 10% in salary raises for corrections officers and law enforcement, also fall under the general fund.
Thirteen new positions are needed to staff the new 512th state District Court.
The fund receives the largest portion of the county budget at $401,202,232, a number that also includes $20 million for the county’s capital improvements and $7 million for longrange transportation plans with almost $18 million additional in funds to be used for either plan.
Road and bridges
The road and bridge fund receives $78,523,221, which covers costs associated with the improvement, construction and maintenance of the county’s transportation
infrastructure. The road and bridge department gained four new employees and staff also received 2% raises and cost of living increases.
Under this adopted budget, almost $20 million is slated for capital improvements and another $10 million in long-range transportation plans.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles — who represents the Hutto and Taylor areas — called county growth “relentless” and said the voters have spoken.
“We heard from the voters that transportation is important to them…This budget pays for the necessities, like deputies and asphalt for roads. There is no fringe,” Boles said.
Debt-service fund
The remaining $222,704,539 goes to the debt-service fund, which repays the county debts from loans and bonds from projects such as new buildings, infrastructure and parks and trails. Debt service includes $20 million to pay down debt early.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey explained why she voted for the budget. “I’ve been a proponent of trying to pay as we go and not take out more debt if we don’t have to because then we’re paying extra for that item through interest,” Covey said.
Commissioners noted the county’s expenses have increased.
“Our capitalimprovement projects are one-time projects … but they’re extremely expensive,” Covey said.
The county is replacing its financial-tracking system, the law enforcement’s computer system and the Computer-Aided Dispatch system for 911 calls. There are also plans in place to build a new jail and justice center complex and move them out of downtown.
Covey added the county bought a building last year with the intent to relocate the 911 training facility into it.
“That’s going to take several million dollars to do,” she said.
Boles noted these were not annual purchases and, while expensive, they ultimately will help the county.
Not happy
Several residents voiced complaints during the public-hearing portion of the Sept. 3 meeting.
Janine Chapa, precinct chairwoman of Precinct 371 in Williamson County, urged the commissioners to consider the impact the rate increases will have on working families and senior residents on fixed incomes.
“Rising taxes right now feels like asking the community to shoulder more than we can bear…Many of us are making tough choices to stay afloat,” Chapa said.
Covey said she wanted to see the impact of changes made to the rate.
“I’m not saying that a dollar isn’t important, I’m saying it needs to be put in perspective,” she said.
Snell noted residents’ concerns about the tax increase.
“We should all be frustrated,” he said, adding that as the commissioners began looking at the budget for FY 2026-27, “(We’ll) look for any way possible to save money.”
Information on the budget can be found at www.wilcotx.gov/ budget under the section titled “2026 Budget Overview.”
A hard copy of the budget is available at the County Clerk’s Office in the Justice Center, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
Commissioners court regular sessions are 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at 710 S. Main St. Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners- Court.
