What you need to know:
- Collin County lowered their tax rate (from 0.180785 to 0.174951) so that any property appraisal increases would not increase the average tax bill in the county (known as an effective tax rate, or “no new taxes” rate). The average tax bill for Collin County will be $622.69 next year.
- The county added three new Chief Felony Prosecutors and a Victim’s Advocate in the District Attorney’s office, funded routine vehicle and equipment upgrades for the Sheriff ‘s office, funded recruitment bonus program for the Sheriff’s office to focus on hiring of detention officers, paid for replacement equipment for parks, road and bridge, and facilities, and provided the resources needed for a new family court and a new civil court which were authorized by the state during the Legislative session.
- Judicial salaries are increasing due to a new state law, including longevity pay (unfunded mandate from the state).
- County is planning to pay in this budget cycle for some permanent improvement projects out of their fund balance. It is expected that the county will need to pay for more of these projects in coming years, as more people move into the unincorporated parts of the county and annexation has become very difficult for the cities under new state laws.
There are three public hearings, where citizens may speak on the recommended budget:
- Sept. 3, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. (Special Session, Tuesday)
- Sept. 9, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. (regular court time)
- Sept. 16, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. (regular court time – Final Budget will be adopted at this time.)
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