COMMISSIONERS TO DISCUSS BUDGET AND TAX RATE AT NEXT MEETING
The budget and tax rate will be the main topics of discussion at the next meeting of the Washington County Commissioners Court.
The Commissioners are holding a public hearing on the proposed 2025 budget for Washington County. The budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by over $1.3 million or 5.2%.
Of that amount, over $770,000 is tax revenue raised from new property added to the tax roll.
After the public hearing, they will take a record vote to approve the adoption of the Washington County Budget for 2025, and ratify the property tax increase that is reflected in the budget.
The Commissioners are then going to vote on an Order levying the Washington County property tax rate for 2024
They are proposing that the rate stay at 38.4 cents per $100 valuation. This would be lower than the voter approval rate of 40.3091. cents.
The Maintenance and Operations rate would increase from 29.4 cents to 29.75 cents per $100 valuation.
However, the Road and Bridge rate would drop from 8.23 cents to 7.9 cents, and the Interest and Sinking Fund would drop from 0.77 cents to 0.75 cents.
Also on the agenda:
Approving the Presiding Judge and Alternate Judge for the Early Voting Ballot Board.
A pay increase for the Election workers hired for the November 5 General Election
Purchasing upfitting for five Tahoes for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office through Senate Bill 22 funds.
The Commissioners meet Tuesday 9am at the Washington County Courthouse.
There should be an effort to lower taxes y being more efficient and effective. Paying some employees of the county more the 250 percent of the normal while paying others less is a good start. Also do we really need our own helicopter? Why is the EMS budget equal to or larger than counties more than twice our size. Why do we need electronic vote counting machines? Why can’t the elected Sheriff give his Chief Deputy a raise without having to do back flips?