Brazos County budget, tax rate work continues; public hearing set for Sept. 1
Brazos County commissioners are working through the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget and 2026 tax rate, with a public hearing on the tax increase scheduled for Sept. 1. No decisions have been made public yet: minutes from the recent budget workshops and the Aug. 18 regular meeting have not been published.
Budget workshops
The commissioners court held three budget workshops on Aug. 11, 12, and 13. All were discussion-only sessions with no formal votes.
- **Aug. 11** covered the General Fund, including general government, judicial, law enforcement, juvenile services, public transportation, public health, and human services departments.
- **Aug. 12** reviewed special funds, grants, debt service, health and life, and the general fund. The court also reviewed certified appraised values for tax year 2026 and discussed tax rate options: the no new revenue rate, the debt rate, and the voter approval rate.
- **Aug. 13** was a presentation and discussion of the full county budget.
Aug. 18 regular meeting
The commissioners court met Aug. 18 with an agenda that included discussion and proposal of the 2026 tax rate. The consent agenda listed 20 items, including appointments, budget amendments, and permits. The court was scheduled to consider several contracts:
- A $668,699.93 radio replacement project (CIP #26-573) with Motorola Solutions, Inc.
- An increase to the US Bank credit card limit from $150,000 to $500,000
- A wire transfer of up to $20,000,000 to the Health and Human Services Commission for Uncompensated Care Demonstration Year 15
- Award of Bid #27-008 for seal coat to Clark Construction of Texas, Inc.
The agenda also included an executive session for legal advice on a purchasing matter. Minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes are available.
IGC meeting
An Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) meeting on Aug. 17 was procedural only, with a call to order, the IGC item, and adjournment. No substantive items were listed.
Coming up
- **Public hearing on the proposed 2026 tax increase** – Sept. 1 at 9:15 AM. The commissioners court will receive comments for or against the increase. Residents may attend and speak.