When Smith County voters approved a bond issue for building a new courthouse there was the thought that property taxes would have to rise to accommodate that construction, a fact reiterated during the Smith County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
That thought has likely become a reality, as the proposed property tax rate for the coming budget year is $0.364, an increase from $0.347.
The $179 million bond was approved by 53 percent of the voters in November, 2022.
Commissioners set the initial public hearings on the tax rate for 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27 in the commissioners courtroom.
According to Smith County Auditor Ann Wilson, the owner of a $300,000 home will see an annual tax hike of $50.92.
County Judge Neal Franklin said this year’s proposed budget was different due to a difference in property tax projections, due to a large number of successful tax protests presented to the Smith County Appraisal District.
““Normally, it’s fairly close to what we have as the certified number at the end,” Franklin said. “But when we received the certified number this year, it was a dramatic difference.”
The judge said he was aware the budget would be tight, but equitable.
“We told people (the budget) would be tight,’’ he said. “But it’s still a successful budget, I really believe.”
Yet commissioners are still determined to provide county workers with a cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 2.5 percent, which was discussed as the court heard requests from attorneys and county court-at-law judges for an increase for indigent defense attorneys’ fees. The new proposal is $120,000 per year, an increase from $95,000. Commissioners had originally proposed a $5,000 increase for attorneys.
Additionally, the three district courts will receive an additional indigent defense attorney.
Smith County’s indigent attorneys fee of $95,000 compares to $110,000 in Henderson County and $125,000 in Van Zandt County, records show.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips said he feels a raise for the attorneys is essential.
“I would be in favor of lowering the COLA to get the judges and attorneys whatever they need because my fear is this thing will get backed up and we could be facing serious financial problems (in the future),’’ he said. “I want to see people represented well.’’
Precinct 1 Commissioner Pam Frederick and Precinct 2 Commissioner John Moore cited the importance of raises for employees.
“I think we have to consider our employees are affected by the economy as well and we have to face that (when looking at the budget),’’ she said.
Moore agreed.
“I am not in favor of cutting the COLA, our employees need to be a priority,’’ he said. “I would rather us work on a plan to work with the legislature and work as a team rather than throwing money at it and leave our employees out of it.’’