Williamson Co. commissioners to finalize $700M budget, tax rate on Sept. 3
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Williamson County Commissioners Court is set to finalize its more than $700 million budget and tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year early next week.
The conversations revolving around the budget conversations began Aug. 5. At that time the total recommended budget by Williamson County’s budget office is $735,644,714. There are three major parts within the budget: General Fund Budget, Road & Bridge Fund and Debt Service Fund.
Since then, the commissioners have discussed various items to prioritize within the budget. Williamson County Judge Steven Snell emphasized public safety to focus for the budget.
“As disasters grow, when you look at all the short term, long term recovery efforts, there is definitely a strain on our [Office of Emergency Management] department,” said Snell in a previous commissioner’s court meeting.”
Snell proposed creating a “preparedness & mitigation specialist” to better navigate disaster emergency efforts. This item was unanimously approved by the commissioners.
Among this position, there were also many other positions added as well, which include a new deputy constable and fire marshal deputy.
“We want the best law enforcement, we want to be a county that is safe and has a high quality of life,” Snell said.
Another priority was approving a cost-of-living adjustment for county civilian employees. The increase was 2% more on top of the initial 2% merit increase already in the proposed budget.
Charles Duvall, the president of the Williamson County deputy’s association, testified in commissioners court saying they’ve had an issue with retention and hiring due to the current salaries.
“The more people we retain is the less money we have to spend in training every time we get a new person,” Duvall said.
The commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of the cost-of-living adjustment.
Currently, Williamson County property owners pay just 39.99 cents per $100 of valuation. The county has not determined what the rate will be this year yet, but commissioners did vote not to exceed 41.37 cents for the rate — which is the 2025 Voter-Approval Rate. Anything higher would have required approval in an election.
“That’s basically our ceiling. And then after that, we can always go down from it, and I’m sure we will go down from it we have in the past,” said Valerie Covey, Williamson County Commissioner for Precinct Three.
Before the commissioners court finalizes the budget and tax rate, they will have a public hearing on the matter starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3.
