Hays County Commissioners Court approves 2024 budget

HAYS COUNTY — The Hays County Commissioners Court approved the fiscal year 2024 budget at its Sept. 19 meeting.

According to budget officer Vickie Dorsett, the county was primarily focused on maintaining a low tax rate, decreasing from the previous year by $.0005; the final rate approved was $0.3075.

The budget includes $246.8 million in projected revenue and $374.4 million in expenditures.

Projects included in the budget consist of the following:

• $2.8 million for 40 new positions

• $2.1 million for salary increases to place employees in the new market salary chart

• $350,000 for law enforcement positions step increase

• $667,000 for elected officials’ salary increases

• $258,000 for creation of a new justice of the peace, precinct 2, place 2 and operational budget

• $115,000 for creation of a new purchasing agent and operational budget

• $4.5 million for additional improvements to parks and open spaces

• $635,000 for flood mitigation projects

• $457,000 for upgraded equipment for judicial courtrooms

• ARPA funding for mental health and pre-trial services for those incarcerated

“Obviously [the budget is a] very serious thing and I understand that a lot of work goes into this and hard decisions are made,” said commissioner Lon Shell. “This is real money — real people’s money that they have entrusted this county to spend to the best of their ability."

Prior to the adoption of the budget, a representative of the Council for the Indigenous and Tejano Community requested funds to help aid its preservation of history, traditions and culture of Hays County. A total of $10,000 was granted through the general fund social service funding, as well as $10,000 through ARPA funds.

The Hays County Commissioners court will meet again on Oct. 10. For more information, visit www.hayscountytx.com/commissioners-court/court-video.