Karnes County weighs budget, tax rate, and major construction contracts
The Karnes County Commissioners Court met three times in the past week to consider a proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, a tax rate for 2026, and several major construction contracts. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no final decisions are known.
Budget and tax rate
On Aug. 13 and 14, the court held a special meeting and a budget workshop to discuss and take action on the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget and to set the proposed tax rate for tax year 2026. The court also considered whether to publish proposed salaries for elected county and precinct officials. The Aug. 14 session included a public comment period and acknowledged a future meeting on Aug. 25.
Construction contracts
At the Aug. 11 regular meeting, the court was scheduled to consider contract negotiations for a Precinct 4 EMS satellite and a Precinct 4 service center, a contract amendment with Burns Architecture LLC for the Karnes County Jail Expansion design and construction phase services, and a construction manager-at-risk contract for the Karnes County Courthouse Restoration Project. The court also was to accept a $34,028.71 settlement from Northstar Energy Solutions for road damage at CR 326 and CR 333.
Other business
The Aug. 11 agenda included overtime payouts, library fund transfers, and the county investment policy. A consent agenda covered routine reports and a budget amendment.
Coming up
The court will meet again on Aug. 25 at 210 W. Calvert, Karnes City. The agenda includes a construction manager-at-risk contract for the courthouse restoration, a request for proposals for a forensic roof evaluation at the same address for litigation in Centurion Industries Inc. vs Karnes County, and a $15,000 donation to the Runge Public Library. The court will also consider moving $2,000 from the Training to Vest line item for a ballistic vest for Constable Precinct #1, and approve a list of election judges for the 2026-2028 term and polling locations for the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election.