County adopts 2026-27 budget; tax rate remains same as last year

By Linda Perkins

Anvil Herald reporter

Following a public hearing Sept. 8, Medina County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to adopt the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget.  The budget period begins  Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2027. 

Commissioners anticipate total new revenue of $85,710,834.  

Based on the adopted tax rate of 44 cents per $100 valuation, the tax bill for a median-valued homstead of  $255,995 would be about  $1,335.08.

According to the court, the adopted budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $2,060,781 or 7.25%. Of that amount, $1,727,263 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year.

The adopted tax rate will make up 41.89% of the revenue. The remainder of the revenue will come from other revenue sources and cash balances. Total disbursements, not including contingency reserves, are projected to be $84,925,801.

The outstanding debt service at the beginning of the new budget year will be $33,495,000. During this year, $2,788,750 of the debt will be retired, leaving an estimated $30,706,250 on Sept. 30, 2027, at the current level of debt obligations.

Based on the property values and ad valorem tax revenue estimation for the budget year, income is allocated as follows:

• General Fund – 31 cents per $100 valuation on appraisal value of $6,590,539 at a 100 percent assessment rate;

• Farm-to-Market/Lateral Roads – 8 cents per $100 valuation on appraised value of $8,112,419,214; and

• Debt – 4 cents per $100 valuation on appraisal value of $6,590,539,738 at 100 percent assessment rate.

In a separate action, following a public  hearing, the court unanimously adopted the Medina County Precinct 2 Special Road Tax Rate of 36 cents per $100 valuation, a 4% increase in the FY 2025-2026 rate, according to Commissioner Larry Sittre, Precinct 2 commissioner.