SAN MARCOS, Texas – Following a last public listening to on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Hays County Commissioners Court docket voted, 4-1, to undertake a tax price of $.3999 per $100 valuation and a balanced funds for fiscal yr 2026.
Within the FY26 funds, funds had been accredited at a complete of $373,849,226, comprising working funds of $248,226,263, debt funds of $55,300,195, and development funds of $70,322,768. The FY26 funds focuses on key initiatives to deal with capital infrastructure wants, together with street enhancements and county amenities, in addition to funding to proceed important judicial providers. Moreover, it allocates funds to associate with native municipalities and non-profits for enhanced animal welfare providers.
The funds is anticipated to boost extra income from property taxes than final yr’s funds by $16.9 million, representing an 11.27% enhance. The property tax income to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this yr is $6.9 million. In accordance with Vickie Dorsett, Hays County Finances Officer, the common residence worth is $460,169, representing an annual property tax enhance of $225.87 for the Hays County tax portion solely.
“Property taxes are the first income for counties in Texas, and our Commissioners Court docket is devoted to sustaining a low tax price whereas balancing the rising infrastructure wants and offering superior providers to the residents of Hays County,” Dorsett mentioned.
One of many key indicators of the tax price is inhabitants, she mentioned. Since 2010, the inhabitants in Hays County has grown by 93% whereas the tax price has persistently decreased throughout that interval. Since 2000, the inhabitants has elevated by 210%. These are the drivers for the necessity for extra providers.
“Whereas the tax price has gone down persistently through the years, the latest [tax rate] will increase, are straight attributed to the addition of providers the County is now offering – further Judicial Providers associated to pre-trial providers, further magistration, the Public Defender’s Workplace, animal welfare providers and extra – which alone account for a $.0125 enhance on the tax price,” Dorsett mentioned. “The judicial facet of that is important in lowering recidivism in Hays County. These are applications for which we haven’t needed to tax residents prior to now as a result of obtainable American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.”
“This funds displays each the challenges and alternatives of a quickly rising county,” mentioned Hays County Choose Ruben Becerra. “We’re delivering important providers — from judicial and public security applications to public infrastructure and psychological well being help — whereas maintaining the tax price among the many lowest within the area. Our duty is to steadiness fiscal accountability with the wants of our group, and I consider this funds strikes that steadiness for the individuals of Hays County.”
Following the funds listening to, the court docket additionally voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the FY26 salaries and allowances for elected officers.
For extra info or to view funds paperwork, go to www.hayscountytx.gov/budget-office.