Erath County Commissioners recently approved an increase for collecting taxes for entities in the county for the Tax Assessor-Collector.
At the Monday, Aug. 11 meeting, the court approved proposed interlocal agreements between the Erath County Tax-Assessor’s Office and taxing entities such as cities and school districts. The interlocal agreements would increase the amounts the county will receive from each entity. According to information shared by County Judge Brandon Huckabee since around 1988 the county has charged $.80 cents per parcel for collecting taxes.
“A stamp now costs $.79 cents so from a budgeting standpoint we had to look at this for us,” Huckabee said.
While researching what other counties did, the judge found out some counties do a flat 1%, however, when they ran the numbers that percentage would have the county collecting more than what it takes the county to collect the taxes.
“We really zeroed in on the personnel, the postage, the software, found out what that number was and we are going break that number up by percentage of the tax revenue we collect. So whatever percentage they are, that’s what we collect,” he said. “In some cases it’s a significant jump but it’s the fair and proper way to do it.”
These rates will stay the same for a period of 4 years before adjustments will be made again, Huckabee said.
For city of Dublin, the amount the county was charging was $1,612 and the county will now be charging $13,016 – a difference of $11,404.
For Dublin ISD, the county was charging $3,691 and they will now be charged $43,122 – a difference of $39,429.
The largest jump came from Stephenville ISD who was being charged $9,529 and will now be charged $221,074 – an increase of $211,545.
For the city of Stephenville, they were being charged $5,774 and they will now pay $61,399 – a difference of $55,625.
“I don’t want to take tax money from other taxing entities but when we are spending $650,000 a year to collect taxes for everyone else we have to make that fair and equitable so we can afford to add more law enforcement, so we can give raises and do what we need to do,” he said. “They were all very understanding. I had really good meetings with all those entities.”
The motion to move forward with the interlocal agreements passed unanimously.
In land development, a slew of projects were discussed.
A 6-month extension was given for Tres Cruces RV Park. Subdivision coordinator Jason Gardner explained that they had purchased adjoining land and were trying to expand, but needed more time to work on it.
Approval was given to Outlaw Ranch LLC located on CR 258 for revising a plan to include another dwelling.
A 6-month extension for Wiley CR 393 Cabins located in Precinct 2 was approved since the property had sold, and the individual was attempting to get rid of the two additional cabins that the former owners were seeking approval for.
Approval was given for a chip-seal variance for Faith Marie Estates located in Precinct 3.
A replat was approved for Mountain Lakes section two splitting a combined lot back into two lots.
Jail Captain Danny Clayton updated the court on jail standards reporting stating they passed a limited review with flying colors.
Sheriff Matt Coates expressed his thanks to the jail staff for their hard work.
“They do an awesome job and it’s a lot more tedious than you think,” he said.
The court addressed possible changes for commissioners court meetings after House Bill 1522 passed. Starting Sept. 1, all governmental entities must have their agendas published three business days in advance of a public meeting. This is a change from the 72-hour current requirement. Essentially, this would mean that items to be included on an agenda would be due the Tuesday before the meeting, complicating meetings for staff.
A budget workshop at the end of the meeting led to discussion for the county’s proposed budget that Huckabee must file on Aug. 15.
Built into the proposed budget is a 3% across the board raise, and a 5% raise for sheriff deputies and EMS.
During public comments, Joanna Friebele, an environmentally concerned Erath County citizen, urged the court to hold a workshop on forming a Chapter 391 Commission in regards to the Oncor Transmission line project.
In other action, the Erath County Commissioners Court: ■ setting a special election for the Governor-ordered Constitutional Amendment Election Nov. 4, 2025
■ approved a bill reduction for a county EMS bill. The bill was reduced by $400, down to $1,500 after a motor vehicle wreck
■ approved the new National Opioids Settlement
■ approved a resolution for local government maintenance of railroad pavement markings and signs, and approving Judge Huckabee as the authorized representative. The county will take over maintenance after new signage and better striping is done at county railroad crossings.
■ discussed the burn ban.
Though the drought index is going up, it is not high enough to warrant a burn ban currently.
■ approved a job description change to a clerk in the Human Resources office, making the clerk to be hired a tier I clerk instead of a payroll clerk.
■ approved a maintenance agreement renewal between the tax office and Kirbo’s
■ approved allowing Precinct 4 to utilize recycled road material for the parking lot at Huckabay VFD and the Huckabay Community Center
■ received the July 2025 Treasurer’s report
■ approved budget adjustments. Items were a net zero impact.
■ approved regular and reoccurring payments