Thursday, March 28, 2024

County sets proposed tax rate; earmarks funds for fire departments

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The Hood County Commissioners Court, at its regular meeting Tuesday (Aug. 24), voted 3-2 to set the proposed tax rate for the 2021-2022 fiscal year at $0.420345 per $100 valuation.

That rate is lower than the current one of $0.423777 per $100 valuation.

It will nevertheless raise an additional $185,000 in revenue, which will be earmarked for the county’s nine volunteer fire departments.

County Judge Ron Massingill made the motion to approve the proposed tax rate and to earmark the additional revenue for firefighters.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Jack Wilson seconded the motion.

It passed with the votes of Massingill, Wilson and Precinct 2 Commissioner Ron Cotton.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Dave Eagle and Precinct 1 Commissioner Kevin Andrews voted against the measure.

Eagle noted that the proposed budget is 13% higher than the current one and expressed the view that it should be trimmed. He also noted that the county has received millions in federal funds related to the pandemic.

The Commissioners Court will vote on the proposed budget, which will include the proposed property tax rate, in September. It will take effect Oct. 1.