Jefferson County Commissioners Court today voted unanimously to adopt a 2012 property tax rate of $0.365 per $100 valuation.

The commissioners court designated $0.340125 per $100 valuation to funding maintenance and operations of the county, with the remaining $0.024785 per $100 valuation will be dedicated to payments on the county’s bonded indebtedness.

The overall rate remains unchanged from 2011, but with a lower amount being designated for bond debt payments.  The rate also reflects a 1.4 percent decrease below the 2012 effective tax rate, which would provide the county with revenues equal to the previous year.

The commissioners court voted unanimously to adopt the FY2013 Budget for the county.  Budget

The budget reflects a 4.4 percent increase in expenditures compared to the FY2012 Budget, with total expenditures of $126,739,744 planned for operating expenditures in the coming year.  A Capital Projects budget, adopted independently of the general budget, provides for planned expenditures of $8,496,261.

The budget also includes a three percent salary increase for all employees. 

The commissioners court voted unanimously to ratify a property tax increase as reflected in the adopted budget.  The budget will raise $3,573,288, or 4.17 percent, more in property tax revenues than in FY2012. However, $4,976,115 in revenues for the year will be from new property on the tax rolls, and not existing properties.

The commissioners court tabled action regarding a burn ban order for the county.  No burn ban is currently in effect for the county.

The commissioners court voted unanimously to authorize changes to the Texas County and District Retirement System.  The changes provide for the adoption of a flat rate two percent cost of living adjustment for retirees and a new rate of 16.25 percent for contributions to the employee benefit plan.

All other items were approved by unanimous vote.  All members were present.  Agenda