Smith County Commissioners Poised to Pass Budget, Tax Rate

TYLER The Smith County Commissioners Courts final budget and tax rate hearing for the coming fiscal year is set for this morning at 9:30 in the Courthouse Annex. Commissioners have scheduled a vote on the budget and tax rate immediately following the hearing. In the budget draft, County Judge Joel Baker says, To support improvements in county roads, I am presenting a budget that is structured against a tax rate of .33000, an increase from .323564, or 1.952%. This would bring a projected $915,884 in additional revenue that would be dedicated solely to road projects.

Baker continues, “For the average priced home of $144,817, the annual increase in county property taxes would be an estimated $9. Approximately 90% of Texas counties currently have a higher tax rate than Smith County. With this slight increase, we remain one of the lowest of property tax rates in Texas.”

Several residents recently voiced their concerns to KETK about the proposed budget. Some say they are unclear on how the county is going to pay for a new administrative office as well as increase county retirement benefits, two items included in the budget draft. You can go to http://www.smith-county.com/ to learn more about the budget proposal and submit comments online.