By Sahar Chmais
Hays County could reduce its tax rate, making it the lowest since 1990.
A special meeting was called by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra for the 2022 fiscal year budget, during which he pointed to possible changes at the county that could reduce the tax rate to $0.3867.
Budget workshops have been set for Aug. 10 and 17 at 11 a.m., and on Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. at the county courthouse in downtown San Marcos. The workshops are open to the public.
“My goal was to achieve a No New Revenue Rate,” Becerra said, “but I had no idea it would be the lowest in over 30 years. My desire was to be a fiscal steward and be most respectful of our taxpayers’ hard-earned money.”
By lowering the tax rate, Becerra said he hopes it will inspire municipalities, school districts and other taxing agencies to lower theirs.
The No New Revenue Rate formula assumes that if property values increase, the tax rate should decrease to create the same amount of revenue as it did the year before, according to the Texas Comptroller website. The property valuations for Tax Year 2020 in Hays County was $21,819,743.233 with a tax rate of $0.3924.
For the upcoming Tax Year 2021 (Fiscal Year 2022), the valuations have been set by the Hays County Central Appraisal District at $25,073,854,064.
Other items in the new budget will also include funds for a Hays County mental health facility, which will have VA wing, to serve military veterans. Funds for the facility will come from the $44 million federal American Rescue Plan Fund.
The budget also includes upgrades in technology for the Public Defenders Office across the county.
The budget includes more county positions for FY 2021-22. It includes 18 new correction officers jobs, 22 positions for the expansion of jail operations, one animal control officer and 31 patrol vehicles. A new deputy constable position will be considered after redistricting is complete.
A new district court has also been created for Hays County, so funding has been provided to support it.
Social service agencies are not expected to receive any increases from the previous year’s budget.
Becerra created a new budget office, adding that he expects the population of Hays County to be set at or above 225,000 by the recent U.S. Census. According to the Texas Government Code, once a county reaches a population of 225,000, the county either appoints the county auditor as budget officer or creates the position of budget officer.
During the workshops, commissioners will get a chance to question and delve into the details of the budget for the next fiscal year. On Aug. 24, Commissioners Court will vote on the proposed budget and will adopt the final budget on Sept. 21.
The fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2021.
