County wraps up budget, tax numbers

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  County wraps up budget, tax numbers

  County wraps up budget, tax numbers
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  SJRC Belong Regional Director Nicole Nguyen updates the Commissioners Court on the child protective services provided by her company. STAFF PHOTO

  SJRC Belong Regional Director Nicole Nguyen updates the Commissioners Court on the child protective services provided by her company. STAFF PHOTO

No one from the public commented at the various DeWitt County Commissioners Court public hearings on Monday, but nonprofit groups praised area businesses and residents as generous donors. Thus ended the 2025 county budget and tax process after commissioners formally approved them.

The agenda listed public hearings on the proposed county budget, the tax rate, the county clerk’s archives and a sign on Old San Antonio Road. Though several observers sat in on the meeting and looked over handouts from Judge Daryl Fowler, no one had questions or comments. The budget and tax handouts will be available on the county website.

Fowler first called on representatives from SJRC Belong to hear a presentation regarding their organization, which since 2019 has provided child protective services for Region 8, a large swath of southeast Texas.

SJRC Belong Regional Director Nicole Nguyen said a local gathering in April helped establish a De-Witt County resource tree for those seeking help with neglected and abused children. This resource will soon be available for churches and other aid organizations.

Nguyen also reported that the new residential treatment center in Victoria for boys aged 7-17 has helped ease placement pressures. She said there is still a need for a girls’ residential treatment center.

Heading into the holidays, Nguyen said they work hard planning for the benefit of the 170 children in their care.

“Ya’ll are easy to plan for Christmas,” she said, “whether it’s a dealership or Walmart, you’re the epitome of generosity.”

A burn ban was also considered and tabled before the budget discussion.

Judge Fowler reported on the budget items that changed from the last session. One was a new clerk position with a $42,000 salary to be added to the county election administration office and one was a decrease of funding for transport and dispensation of mental health patients.

The proposed 2025 county budget of $43,047,555 consists of 55% roads and transportation costs, 18% law enforcement, 5% records/ financial, 3.7 % health/ community services, 6.44% judicial, 4.83 buildings/ operations, 6.52% administration and 0 debt service.

“We are a service industry,” Fowler said. “That’s all we do is provide a service for the taxpayers.”

The commissioners voted unanimously to pass the 2025 budget.

On the tax rate, Judge Fowler said with almost $1 billion increase in valuation, most of which is oil & gas assets, the industry was receiving an unofficial abatement of $4 million with the proposed tax rate.

“Though we’re leaving $4 million on the table, I think it’s the right thing to do,” Fowler said.

The commissioners formally voted to approve a tax rate of $.36601 per $100 valuation.