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Have your say on Kaufman County taxes, budget

Aug 26, 2008

Commissioners took their obligatory vote on the tax rate during the regular meeting Monday. They unanimously voted in favor of the slightly reduced rate of 5565 cents. The vote isn’t final approval; it puts the commissioners’ position on record before the hearings.

The total proposed 2009 tax rate is about a half cent lower than the 2008 rate. That includes 447 cents for general operating, 078 cents for road and bridge maintenance and 0315 cents to pay off bonds.

“The Legislature says we have to tell you we are raising taxes while we aren’t raising taxes,” Judge Wayne Gent said.

The lower tax rate will raise more money than last year’s tax rate. That technically means taxes are going up and the county (and school districts and cities) are required to tell that to taxpayers.

But in the county’s case the tax on a house valued at $100,000 will go down about $5 a year.

Of course, if the value of your home rose, say from $100,000 to $110,000, then your tax bill will go up.


Overall, the property value for the county went up about 11 percent, giving the county a little less than $2 million in additional revenue. This year’s tax revenue was $24.4 million and next year it is expected to be $26.2 million.

Other revenue from fees and other sources will go up from $35.1 million to $36.9 million.

The budget includes a 3 percent raise for county employees and more money for road repair.

Pct. 1 Commissioner Jerry Rowden and Pct. 3 Commissioner Ken Schoen have said they are considering turning down the raise.

Here is the preliminary Kaufman County budget for 2009.



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