Smith County Commissioners Propose Tax Hike

TYLER — Smith County homeowners could soon be paying higher property taxes. According to our news partner KETK, the Commissioners Court is set to talk about the 2020 budget during the next few weeks. The judge and commissioners want to give all county employees a 1 1/2 percent raise and hire more deputies and jailers. The tax rate would be raised from 33.7 cents to 34.5 cents. We’re told road construction needs to be done as well, including Old Jacksonville Highway and Paluxy Drive. Officials say Smith County needs to match a portion of the cost for those TxDOT projects. Public hearings will continue through August, with the final vote on the budget and new tax rate August 27.