Burleson County proposes 2023 property tax rate of $0.48, schedules Sept. 11 budget hearing

Burleson County Commissioners Court on Aug. 14 proposed a 2023 property tax rate of $0.480000 and authorized publication of notices for a public hearing on the FY2024 budget set for Sept. 11, 2023. Commissioner David Hildebrand made the motion to propose the rate; Commissioner Dwayne Faust seconded it, and all members voted aye.

The action followed a FY2024 budget workshop the court held the same morning. Auditor staff reported sales tax receipts of $135,494, a 14% decline from the prior period, and announced an auditor’s budget hearing scheduled for Aug. 28; an outside audit is expected to be presented at a future court session, the auditor said.

The court also set juror pay rates, effective Sept. 1, 2023, under House Bill 2014: petit jurors will receive $20 for the first day and $58 for subsequent days; grand jurors will receive $30 for the first day and $58 thereafter. The juror pay motion was made by Commissioner David Hildebrand and seconded by Commissioner Faust and passed unanimously.

County Judge Keith Schroeder and the commissioners framed the tax-rate motion and budget hearing as part of the county’s routine budget-setting process; the hearing will provide a public forum for residents to comment before any final rate is adopted.

Next steps: the court will accept public comment at the Sept. 11 budget hearing and is expected to consider a final tax rate following required notices and the public hearing.