Wilbarger County sets tax rate

The Wilbarger County Commissioners Court held a special meeting on Friday, September 4 to adopt a budget for the coming fiscal year, and to set a property tax rate.

The commissioners unanimously adopted a tax rate of $0.541504 per $100 of valuation. The motion was made by Commissioner Phillip Graf, and seconded by Commissioner Josh Patterson.  Judge Greg Tyra said that this was the “no new revenue rate” — formerly known as the effective rate. The current year’s tax rate is $0.517960, making an increase of 0.023544 in the rate — or about a $23 increase in tax on a $100,000 home.

The commissioners court also unanimously approved a budget for the coming fiscal year, off of a motion from Patterson, and a second from Commissioner Kelly Joe Neel. Judge Tyra said that the budget is a little less than the current year’s — and is considered a balanced budget. Expenses are budgeted at $9,763,679. Revenue is budgeted at $9,777,749.

The commissioners were divided on the 2021 Salary Order. Judge Tyra said that the  Order included a 3 percent cost of living pay increase for each employee and elected official. Commissioner Neel made a motion to approve it, and it passed, but with Commissioner John Wright voting against it.

The commission unanimously approved an investment policy for the new fiscal year, on a motion from Graf. Judge Tyra said that County Treasurer Joann Carter reports no changes to the policy from the current year’s policy.