The San Patricio County Commissioner's Court convened on August 11, 2025, to discuss key financial matters, particularly focusing on tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting began without an executive session and quickly transitioned into a workshop format after a brief recess for a break.
During the workshop, the court reviewed the proposed tax rates for the 2026 fiscal year. Commissioner Milam presented an overview of the current and proposed rates, highlighting the voter-approved rates that are set at 3.5% above the no-new-revenue (NNR) rates. The NNR rates discussed included the following:
- County rate: 0.320869 cents
- Interest and Sinking (I&S) NNR rate: 0.037245 cents
- Road and Bridge NNR rate: 0.09058 cents
This results in a total tax rate of 0.448694 cents. The court also examined a comparison between the approved rates for 2025 and the proposed rates for 2026. Notably, the proposed rate for the Road and Bridge remained unchanged at 0.080411 cents, while the proposed rate for the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) was set at 0.292105 cents. The I&S rate was proposed to remain at 0.037245 cents.
The discussions emphasized the importance of maintaining fiscal responsibility while addressing the needs of the county. The court's review of these rates is a critical step in preparing for the upcoming budget cycle, ensuring that the financial framework aligns with the county's operational needs and community expectations.
As the meeting progressed, the court continued to deliberate on the implications of these proposed rates, setting the stage for future discussions and decisions regarding the county's financial planning. The next steps will involve further analysis and potential adjustments before final approval.