Comm. Court Video 07-29-2026 Part 2

The Freestone County Commissioners Court meeting on July 29, 2026, focused primarily on budget and tax rate discussions. The court reviewed the proposed tax rate for 2026, considering the no new revenue tax rate of 0.31625 and the voter approval tax rate, which could allow for a higher rate without voter approval. They discussed the financial implications of adopting different tax rates, including potential additional revenue of approximately $1.8 million, and the need to allocate funds for capital litigation and inmate housing costs. The court ultimately voted to set the proposed tax rate at 3.335 cents, maintaining the current rate for now with the option to adjust later. Additionally, the meeting covered setting proposed salaries and expenses for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with a motion passed to keep these consistent with the current year. The court also reviewed and approved health insurance plan options for county employees, including PPO and HMO plans, and discussed adding short-term and long-term disability coverage to reduce unfunded liabilities. Finally, there was mention of upcoming natural gas power plant projects in the county and potential data center developments. The meeting included motions and votes related to budget approval, tax rate setting, and employee benefits procurement.