Caldwell County Commissioners on Tuesday, September 9 adopted the 2025-2026 budget and proposed a 2025 tax rate in addition to discussing the burn ban, the County Appraisal District budget, and approving a pair of proclamations.
(Pictured l-r: Pct. 1 Commissioner B.J. Westmoreland, Pct. 2 Commissioner Rusty Horne, County Judge Hoppy Haden, Pct. 3 Commissioner Ed Theriot, Pct. 4 Commissioner Dyral Thomas)
Commissioners adopt budget, propose tax rate
Caldwell County Commissioners adopted the FY 2025-2026 county budget and proposed a 2025 tax rate, optimizing available funds and grant programs, keeping expenses under revenues and continuing to provide necessary services for county residents.
The annual operating budget covers the cost of maintaining and improving more than 436 miles of roads, emergency management services, 9-1-1 emergency communications, public safety and law enforcement, elections, permitting and planning, pursuit of grants and numerous additional programs and benefits.
Commissioners approved a budget that includes $36,993,916.34 in planned general fund expenses for the period beginning Oct. 1, 2025 and ending Sept. 30, 2026 at their regular meeting on Sept. 9 and proposed a tax rate of $0.4391 per $100 property valuation.
Based on the average homestead taxable value of $262,425, the proposed tax rate will remain the same. The rate represents neither an increase nor decrease compared to the prior year.
A public hearing on the proposed tax rate will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
- Voted to keep the burn ban on.
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Approved a proclamation designating September 22-26 as Falls Prevention Week.
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Approved a proclamation designating September 2025 as Senior Center Awareness Month.
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Approved a resolution designating Election Day voting locations and hours for the November election.
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Denied a resolution proposing amendments to the 2024 and 2025 Appraisal District Budgets and denied their 2026 budget. The appraisal district had proposed transferring $229,693 in excess funds to its 2025 legal services line item for future expansion of the district’s building fund and its emergency reserve fund. The excess funds would be normally returned to the taxing entities, which includes Caldwell County and multiple municipalities and school districts.
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Accepted an award from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) for a subgrant from FEMA for the DR4781-TX Public Assistance Grant – Texas Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornados and Flooding. The subgrant will pay for a portion of storm cleanup work performed by the county in 2024.
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Approved the final draft of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Jail Inmate Medical Services.
- Approved a final plat for Phase 3 of the Bollinger Subdivision, which includes 46 lots on 6.7 acres at FM 2720 and Bob White Road.