WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS PROPOSE NEW TAX RATE

  

Washington County Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of a new property tax rate at their meeting today (Tuesday).

The court proposed a rate of 49.5 cents per $100 valuation, two cents below last year’s rate of 51.7 cents per $100. However, despite the lower rate, the county is expecting to see an additional $2 million in tax revenue—nearly a 12 percent increase over last year’s budget—due to higher property valuations.

Washington County Chief Appraiser Willy Dilworth said the increase was mostly due to higher mineral values, which he said are valued for the county at $287 million. He estimated the new minerals should lead to an extra $1.3 million in tax revenue, which is included in the overall $2 million previously mentioned.

New construction and taxable value amounted to $66 million, and is expected to yield an additional $327,000. Meanwhile, increases from revaluation of the existing tax base total $150 million, or 5.2 percent more, with taxes estimated at $345,000.

Numbers from Dilworth showed the average home value in the county jumped from $184,000 to just under $200,000, an 8.48 percent increase. Dilworth said the average homestead’s taxes will go up $36.70, or 3.85 percent.  He noted that 4,149 of the 8,299 homesteads valued are frozen.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said there is a “shell game” being played by state politicians that try to vilify appraisers and local governments. He added that constituents seem to be getting completely different messages from local governments and state legislature.  He said the finger-pointing needs to stop, and the problems need to be fixed.  Dilworth said the county is not blaming the state or any entity, but merely applying the state’s rules and doing what the state wants the county to do.

Public hearings on the new rate are set for September 3^rd at 9 a.m. and September 9^th at 5:15 p.m., both in the Washington County Courthouse Chambers.

Also in session, commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s economic development agreement with Baker Katz, for its planned shopping center on Highway 290 and Chappell Hill Street.

The amendment says complete construction of the building to be occupied by the first tenant in the project will happen no later than July 1, 2021. The agreement originally called for the first tenant by January 2021.  City of Brenham Economic Development Director Susan Cates said the change will allow the developer added flexibility.

The amendment also says the city’s design and construction of Chappell Hill Road widening improvements will now be dependent on the results of a traffic analysis report being performed by the city. Officials are currently planning for the road improvements to take place from the Highway 290 eastbound service road to the southern line of the Baker Katz property.

Commissioners also:

• Approved a memorandum of understanding between Washington County EMS and the Quality EMS Education to allow their students to do clinicals with the county.
• Approved Bethany Janner to work as an unpaid intern for the AgriLife Extension Office through the Brenham High School co-op program for the 2019-20 school year.
• Heard reports from the Sheriff’s Office, EMS, E-911, Information Technology Department, and Veterans Service Officer.
• Approved a resolution and interlocal agreement between the county and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for automated registration and title system equipment.  This agreement replaces the county’s previous contract with the Texas Department of Transportation.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Kamas Road, located in Precinct Two.