Editor's note: This story was corrected to show that there was a decrease in the county's tax rate, instead of an increase as stated in the print edition of The Dublin Citizen. The Citizen regrets the error and any confusion it may have caused.
Erath County Commissioners held two meetings over the past week as they prepared to approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.
This year's budget includes every single county employee receiving a raise to aid in combating inflation.
This year’s tax rate was set as $0.3913 per $100 valuation, which is lower than last year's rate of $.3947. However, due to a rise in property values throughout the county, taxpayers will see approximately a 5.02% increase.
Out of this rate $.2803 is designated for general county purposes (General Fund), $.1026 is designated as the flood control road (roads) and $.0084 for debt service.
“It’s been a process we started with first meetings in March or April with department heads and elected officials. It really is a team effort. We all live here and see the growth but to understand the different departments and how it affects the roads, or how it affects law enforcement, or how it impacts the judicial system,” he said in the Sept. 9 meeting. “I appreciate the commissioners, all the other elected officials and department heads who make sure we are doing our statutory duties appropriately and efficiently, and effectively as possible. I appreciate everyone’s hard work.”
On Thursday, Sept. 5, commissioners held a special called meeting with public hearings on the proposed tax rate and budget, along with discussion on the items.
Previously, Huckabee had presented a preliminary budget to the court after months of work with department heads and staff members.
This budget included a salary increase for every single county employee ranging in $2,000 a year on the low end to 3.5% on the high end.
Huckabee also included pay increases for certificate pay and all first level employees would be raised to $40,000.
In order to give the county’s 244 employees raises, there is a big cost at $1.1 million (including benefits).
“We are basically using all of our property tax increase on our people,” Huckabee said previously at the Aug. 12 meeting.
During budget discussions at the Sept. 5 meeting, commissioners questioned if there was anything in the budget for retirees as far as raises were concerned.
Huckabee stated that was not, but it was something that could be looked at.
To bring retirees up to 100% he said it would cost the county $7 million. A partial increase, such as a 3% raise would cost several hundred thousand dollars.
“I feel like we have to do something. We’re just going to keep getting further and further behind,” Commissioner Jim Buck said.
Huckabee stated they could look at it, but it was going to continue to be hard to fund this going forward. The last time retirees were “brought up” was in 2019.
“In the world we live today with revenues and the caps there are, it becomes really hard,” he said. “It’s going to be hard to fund that going forward. Not that we shouldn’t do it or can’t do it, just the reality is it’s going to be difficult.”
The commissioners and Huckabee decided to make raises for retirees a priority for next year’s budget cycle.
“We can’t do it all at once,” Commissioner Sherman Edwards said. “We can pay salaries for this year and make corrections in retiree benefits next year.”
During the new business portion of the meeting, Commissioner Edwards made a statement in regards to comments on social media. On the Erath County Watchdog group a document had been published with Edwards’ signature before he was elected to office stating he would vote for the no-new revenue tax rate. However, he voted for the increased tax rate.
“I think it’s clear that we had to have new revenue to make this all possible and to get the budget to work,” he said. “What I did, I did what was best for the county. I know there are some sore feelings about it but this is something we had to do and we will continue to be stewards of the public’s money.”
No one spoke in opposition or in favor of the tax rate or budget during the public hearings.
Huckabee said moving forward the county would be organizing a planning committee to look at a 2030 plan which may include justice center and constable expansion.
“I’m going to challenge myself and the court so we can plan for the future,” Huckabee said.
At the regularly called Monday, Sept. 9 meeting, the payroll budget, budget and tax rate were officially approved.
Other than tightening numbers and making changes for insurance, there were no significant changes between the proposed budgets and final approved budget.
In other business, the commissioners moved quickly through a short regular agenda including correcting two plans for the land development office. The final and recorded plans for Suited RV Park in Precinct 3 and Creeks Edge Cottages in Precinct 1 were both approved.
A letter to engage Eide Bailly for external audit services for the county audit was approved. They will begin the audit as soon as the budget year concludes on Sept. 30.
Road Material bids for the county were opened during court and will be compiled into a spreadsheet for the commissioners to review. Approval and selection will be done at a future meeting.