Tuesday, July 29, 1997
Commissioners start budget process
By BETH HALLMARK
Staff Writer
Stress management classes scheduled for Taylor County employees
in September won't come soon enough for county commissioners,
who begin the laborious budget process today.
Commissioners will meet with county department heads starting
at 1:30 p.m. for four days of 1997-98 budget requests and projections.
Last year's $19 million county budget included a tax increase
of 6.26 cents per $100 property valuation. Most of that increase,
6.01 cents, was to finance a voter-approved jail and Expo Center
bonds.
According to County Auditor Bridget McDowell, departmental
budget requests for fiscal 1998 total more than $17 million. During
budget hearings commissioners will pare that amount by reviewing
requests- line by line- before proposing next year's budget and
tax rate. The new fiscal year starts Oct. 1.
No unusual budget requests are expected this year, said County
Judge Lee Hamilton. However, he said indigent health care, the
jail and sheriff's office typically are the major budget considerations.
Preliminary figures from the Taylor County Central Appraisal
District estimate an increase in property values this year. That
means commissioners could lower the effective tax rate to generate
the same amount of tax dollars this year as last year. However,
appraisal figures will not be complete until appeals are finished.
Today commissioners are scheduled to hold budget hearings with
the Extension offices, Justices of the Peace, maintenance, Constables,
and District Clerk's office.
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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