Tarrant County commissioners approved an $834 million budget, setting a property tax rate of 18.6 cents per $100 of valuation. This represents a slight decrease from the previous year’s rate of 18.62 cents and marks the fourth straight year of tax reductions. The new rate is below the no-new-revenue threshold, meaning it is expected to generate similar revenue levels from the same property base.
Budget director Helen Giese stated that the rate reduction should save the average homeowner approximately $1 on their tax bill. The average taxable value for a home in the county is projected to be nearly $278,000, resulting in an estimated average tax bill of $516. The budget, which takes effect on Oct. 1, reflects an increase of roughly $10.6 million over the prior year’s spending.
Personnel costs are a significant component of the new budget. Law enforcement officers will receive 4% pay raises, while non-law enforcement county employees will see 3% merit-based increases. Elected commissioners will also receive 3% salary raises, bringing the county judge’s annual pay to $237,234.60 and other commissioners’ pay to $227,234.80.
County Judge Tim O’Hare, who is running for reelection, emphasized the commitment to fiscal restraint in a statement. He noted that the court has kept a promise to taxpayers to stop treating public funds as discretionary spending. His opponent, Democratic commissioner Alisa Simmons, has campaigned on providing tax relief without depleting county reserves or reducing services.
Simmons and fellow Democrat Roderick Miles Jr. voted against the budget, while O’Hare and Republican commissioners Matt Krause and Manny Ramirez voted in favor.
Public feedback during the meeting was divided. Fran Rhodes, president of the True Texas Project, praised the tax cuts and argued that government should focus on basic services like safety and roads. Conversely, other speakers criticized the allocation of funds to the sheriff’s office and county jail. Mendi Tackett, a meeting attendee, stated that the budget prioritizes incarceration over community care.
