August 28, 2013 (Williamson County, TX) – The Williamson County Commissioners Court adopted their budget for FY 2013-2014 today of $139,289,236 for the general fund, an increase of seven percent over the original FY12-13 budget.  The reason for the increase was largely due to salary increases and new personnel, followed by technology expenses.  The Court proposed the current tax rate of 48.9029 cents per $100 of valuation.  Two public hearings will be held on the adoption of this rate on September 10 and 17, 2013, both at 10 a.m. in the Historic Courthouse, 710 S. Main Street, Georgetown.  The public hearings are required as the Court proposed a rate higher than the effective tax rate, which is calculated to levy the same amount of property taxes as the prior year.

The total county tax rate is comprised of three tax rates.  The general fund tax rate was proposed at 28.1529 cents.  The road and bridge tax rate was proposed at 4.00 cents, and the debt service tax rate at 16.7500 cents per $100 of valuation.

The Commissioners Court approved a salary increase for 210 civilian positions that were found to be under market based on a salary study for a cost increase of $123,000.  The budget also included a 4% merit raise for civilian employees, a 5% increase for Justices of the Peace and Constables and 4% increase for other county elected officials.  The Commissioners Court approved to fund $1.767 million or 70% of an overall $2.5 million increase to law enforcement salaries with the full $2.5 million to be funded next year.  It was decided that the new salaries would take effect January 17 in order to move all law enforcement to the higher salary scale at the same time.  In future fiscal years, the Peace Officer Tenure System salary plan will increase at the start of the new fiscal year.  Other increases to the budget include funding for 14 new positions.

The Road & Bridge Fund budget was amended to add $1.1 million to asphalt for road resurfacing for a total of $21,739, 340 and also included a 4% merit raise for employees.  The Debt Service budget, which is repaying the debt associated with road, park and other capital improvements, is $69,000,378.  

Williamson County Auditor David Flores estimates that Williamson County will end the fiscal year with $73.8 million in general fund cash reserves.  The Commissioner Court will spend $6.3 million from cash ending on capital improvements.  These projects will be decided at a later Commissioners Court meeting.

The county budget can be viewed at www.wilco.org by selecting the Budget Office from the list of county departments or it can be viewed in person at the County Clerk’s Office in the Justice Center, 405 MLK, Georgetown.