![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786667051_312_.png\"\/)
<\/p>\nTarrant County commissioners will decide next month whether they approve a lower tax rate and increased budget.<\/p>\n
The new proposal includes 46 new county positions and adjustments to how finances are distributed to different departments for the 2027 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
Commissioners were presented with a budget and tax rate breakdown during a hearing Thursday.<\/p>\n
The recommended property tax rate was 18.6 cents per $100 valuation, a decrease from last year\u2019s tax rate of 18.62. The average taxable value would amount to nearly $278,000 and the tax bill for the average home in Tarrant County would be about $516, according to data presented at the meeting.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tarrant County<\/p>\n
\/<\/p>\n
Screenshot<\/p>\n
A chart showing the Tarrant County property tax rate and property tax bills since 2017. Commissioners have prioritized lowering people’s bills for four years.<\/p>\n
The tax bill has decreased in recent years, and this year is the same as the county continues to emphasize relief to homeowners.<\/p>\n
The proposed budget would total roughly $834 million \u2013 nearly $10.6 million more than the previous budget. The money is distributed throughout different departments, including the courts, the sheriff\u2019s office and law enforcement, transportation services and community services.<\/p>\n
It would also include 46 new positions, including 28 new jobs in the general fund and 18 in road and bridge fund.<\/p>\n
County data showed public safety would get about $14 million more than last year, while community services funds would be cut by $3.6 million.<\/p>\n
County Judge Tim O’Hare congratulated county staff over their work during Thursday’s presentation.<\/p>\n
“It’s very difficult work to put together a budget,” O’Hare said. “You work all year essentially on putting together a budget and you don’t know what the tax revenue will be until basically the end of July.”<\/p>\n
Commissioner Alisa Simmons raised concerns over the details of the budget and whether the county is being fiscally responsible.<\/p>\n
“We can debate individual reductions, efficiencies, and priorities, but the public should not be fooled or confused by a lower tax rate or cuts to selected programs when overall county spending has increased, not decreased,” Simmons said.<\/p>\n
Raises for county employees were also proposed in the budget. Law enforcement officers will receive a maximum 4% pay raise, detention officers a 2.5% increase, and all other county employees could receive a raise of 3%.<\/p>\n
The proposal also included increases to employee benefit plans — leaving Commissioner Roderick Miles, Jr. asking how much employees would gain from this.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786667051_580_.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Tarrant County Commissioners Court<\/p>\n
\/<\/p>\n
Screenshot<\/p>\n
The funds showing the increase for law enforcement and non-law enforcement personnel along with the different increases for county employee benefit plans.<\/p>\n
“Fiscal responsibility cannot simply mean choosing the lowest number and calling it a win,” Miles said. “If the average taxpayer is saving five or $10, but we are cutting services, reducing hours, leaving positions unfilled and pushing expenses into next year, then we need to be honest about whether that is really a savings because somebody is still going to have to pay for it.”<\/p>\n
Simmons echoed that during the meeting.<\/p>\n
“Who is saving money here?” Simmons said. “Most employees are being asked to contribute more, work harder, do more with less.”<\/p>\n
Commissioners ultimately voted 3-2 with the Republican majority agreeing to vote on employees raises separate from the budget proposal during next month’s meeting. The proposed tax rate will be set Sept. 1.<\/p>\n
Penelope Rivera is KERA’s Tarrant County Accountability Reporter. Got a tip? Email Penelope Rivera at\u00a0privera@kera.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n