GEORGETOWN – For the first time in 10 years, Williamson County property owners could see a reduction in the amount of taxes they pay.
During its Tuesday meeting, the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a preliminary maximum tax rate of 42.1547 cents per $100 of property valuation, the amount listed as the no new revenue rate.
The fiscal year 2027 budget proposal is $411 million, a 2.5% increase over the current $401 million county budget, commissioners heard Aug. 11.
“The commitment that I would like to see us all make is that attempt to lower the tax bill. I know, we're all in a position where we would love to have more money. Cities would love to have more money, everybody loves to have more money,” said County Judge Steven Snell.
He added, “But the bottom line is we need to be fiscally responsible in any way we can (to) save the taxpayer money and show that we're good stewards of that money. No new tax revenue is a good start on that process.”
The no new revenue rate is the tax rate that will result in the taxing entity collecting the same amount of tax revenue from established properties as in the previous year. The county tax assessor evaluates the appraised values of properties that paid taxes the previous year and calculates the specific tax rate that would result in the city collecting the same amount of tax revenue from those same properties.
Cities and counties that use NNR rates transfer the burden of growth to new development. New businesses, residences and other developments that increase property values add to taxable revenue, so cities with strong growth can see significant increases in tax collection without raising the amount paid by established properties.
The county tax assessor ensures that taxing entities know what appraised values are early in the year so that budget planners will know as they work on their wish lists whether their decisions will raise taxes.
County Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay reported the county departments requested budget additions that would have resulted in an increase of $32 million.
The budget office pared the requests down to $10 million.
Commissioners will have two upcoming budget discussions on Aug. 18 and Aug. 25 before the final vote on the fiscal year 2027 budget and 2026 tax rate, scheduled for Sept. 1.
The county’s fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. Because the proposed tax rate does not exceed the NNR rate, no public hearing is required.
Snell declines salary increase
During the meeting, Snell said he would decline an increase in his salary after commissioners voted to hike the pay of elected county officials following a study citing a higher consumer price index.
Commissioners, however, declined to approve a 2% cost of living increase on top of the salary increase.
The study was based on statistics from Dallas and Houston.
The county has a policy to adjust elected officials’ salaries every three years to keep them at the median value for similar jobs.
More bark for the buck
The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter renovation project will be able to house more pups due to some creative financing.
Commissioners approved the one-time use of accumulated interest accrued on the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, as well as a plan for repayment of the funds.
The changes to the scope of the betterments will add 12 more kennels to the building and would upgrade materials being used to have a 30-year lifespan, saving money on maintenance over the 10-year durability materials originally specified, commissioners were told.
Misty Valenta, animal services director, said she believes the addition is a smart investment that shouldn’t wait for renovations to be complete.
“I think we would regret not making this investment at this time later on. I want to build this building so it lasts for many, many years and not just a few years,” she said.
County takes 30 acres of farmland for road
Commissioners voted to authorize eminent domain to acquire about 30 acres of Taylor farmland.
The land belongs to HS Farms LLC. The property will be used as right of way to extend Corridor A2 of the Samsung Highway from FM 3349 to Texas 95. The county has been working on betting the right of way to start construction in 2028.
The next Commissioners Court is 9:30 a.m. Aug. 18, 9:30 a.m. in the Williamson County Administration building, 1848 Texas Trail.
Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/Commissioners-Court.
