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September 7, 2010

County sets tax rate, public hearings

No increase in rate, increased appraisals will affect some

By Bob Belcher Corsicana Daily Sun

Corsicana — Navarro County officials moved one step farther in the budget process Tuesday, voting to set the county’s ad valorem property tax rate at 62.70 cents per $100 valuation — the same rate passed last year.

While the rate remains the same, some property owners will see an increase in their county tax bill due to increased appraisals, said Kathy Hollomon, county auditor.  With the increase in appraised values, the county could see an additional $389,736 in tax revenues — $195,378 in taxes from new property, and $194,358 from existing properties. Taxes on a home valued at $100,000 would rise $9.01 according to information provided by Hollomon.

The latest draft of the proposed county budget shows the county spending about $600,000 more than it is projecting to take in revenues in the new budget year — about the same as had been budgeted for the current year. However, the county should end up the current budget year in much better shape, with a surplus of about $500,000, due mainly to work by elected officials to keep costs down, said County Judge H.M. Davenport Jr.

“We’re in so much better shape than lots of counties,” said Davenport. “I’m very proud of everybody here in county government and the job they’re all doing to keep a hold on the spending.”

Davenport also praised Hollomon’s efforts in keeping the commissioners “up to date on all of our finances — where we are, what we’re doing, what’s projected.

“It’s good to have someone of her caliber to keep us ‘up to snuff’ on what we’re doing,” he added.

“A lot of it is a result of asking the department heads and employees to get as ‘lean’ as we can,” added Precinct 4. Commissioner James Olsen. “I think it was their response to that, and it worked.”

Commissioners scheduled two public hearings on the tax rate — the first at 10 a.m. Sept. 16, and a second at 10 a.m. Sept. 21. Approval of the tax rate and proposed 2010-2011 budget will take place a the commissioners Sept. 27 meeting, set for 10 a.m. at the courthouse.

In other action Tuesday, commissioners approved a change in an agreement to receive an additional $55,000 in grant funds for the courthouse restoration project, approved lifting the burn ban, and approved a new cell phone allowance for a new precinct foreman in Precinct 4.

—————

Bob Belcher may be reached by e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com

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