HAYS COUNTY ADOPTS 2011 BUDGET
Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday adopted the 2011 County budget of approximately $243 million, which includes construction and debt service. The Court also set the County tax rate at 46.92 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, the same as FY 2010, which is about a half-cent lower than the proposed rate of 47.39 cents. The 2011 fiscal year begins October 1.
At a rate of 46.92 cents, the average homeowner in Hays County will realize a decrease in his or her County tax bill of about $14, according to County Auditor Bill Herzog, due in part to slightly lower property appraisals in parts of Hays County. The 46.92 tax rate encompasses 29.85 cents for general maintenance and operating expenses, 12.63 cents for general debt, and 4.44 cents for road and bridge maintenance and operating expenses.
To lower the rate, the Court cut the proposed County budget by removing entirely a pay increase for County elected officials, saving $29,645, and changing a proposed two percent cost-of-living raise for staff not covered by collective bargaining to a merit-based option that would begin no sooner than December 1, a move that will save the County $54,320. The Court removed $50,000 from the collective bargaining pool, which provides pay increases for certain law enforcement officers. Additionally, $230,000 was cut from County-wide contract, legal services and contingency line items and $95,000 was removed from budgets for road maintenance. In all, the Court decreased the proposed budget by about half a million dollars to ensure the property tax rate could remain the same.
Once the County Auditor’s Office finalizes changes, the adopted budget will be available in the Auditor’s Office and the County Clerk’s Office in San Marcos and online at www.co.hays.tx.us. County Commissioner offices will also have access to the online version for constituents who need online access during regular business hours.
At a rate of 46.92 cents, the average homeowner in Hays County will realize a decrease in his or her County tax bill of about $14, according to County Auditor Bill Herzog, due in part to slightly lower property appraisals in parts of Hays County. The 46.92 tax rate encompasses 29.85 cents for general maintenance and operating expenses, 12.63 cents for general debt, and 4.44 cents for road and bridge maintenance and operating expenses.
To lower the rate, the Court cut the proposed County budget by removing entirely a pay increase for County elected officials, saving $29,645, and changing a proposed two percent cost-of-living raise for staff not covered by collective bargaining to a merit-based option that would begin no sooner than December 1, a move that will save the County $54,320. The Court removed $50,000 from the collective bargaining pool, which provides pay increases for certain law enforcement officers. Additionally, $230,000 was cut from County-wide contract, legal services and contingency line items and $95,000 was removed from budgets for road maintenance. In all, the Court decreased the proposed budget by about half a million dollars to ensure the property tax rate could remain the same.
Once the County Auditor’s Office finalizes changes, the adopted budget will be available in the Auditor’s Office and the County Clerk’s Office in San Marcos and online at www.co.hays.tx.us. County Commissioner offices will also have access to the online version for constituents who need online access during regular business hours.
Posted by DSBabble.com at Wednesday, September 29, 2010 6:13 PM 
Categories: hays county
Tags: hays county
Categories: hays county
Tags: hays county
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