San Patricio County adopts $59.7 million FY2027 budget, says revenue will rise while rate falls slightly

San Patricio County’s Commissioners Court adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget on Aug. 31, approving the spending plan and related orders after a public hearing and extended questions from commissioners.

County staff presented the proposed budget and related tax-rate materials, including a proposed total property tax rate of 0.358961. Staff said the budget reflects a 4.5% cost-of-living adjustment for elected officials and employees and identified major items such as a jail roof and inmate housing costs. The county’s budget worksheet presented estimated expenditures and staff told the court the adopted budget would fund set-asides including litigation reserves.

Commissioner Yardley raised concerns about how the budget would affect typical homeowners, asking for clear comparisons so commissioners can explain changes to voters. Yardley noted "the taxpayer impact statement, which essentially from last year to this year for the median homestead of 165,000, went up about $92." County staff responded that reporting changes (using a median value rather than average) and other technical variables can make public-facing comparisons confusing and offered to provide a breakdown of how much of the revenue increase derives from industry versus homesteads.

After deliberation the court voted to adopt the FY2027 budget by voice vote; the motion to adopt carried with no recorded dissents. The court directed staff to provide additional breakdowns and committed to follow-up explanations for constituents on how the adopted budget relates to property valuations and tax bills.

The court recessed for an executive session later in the meeting to discuss procurement and other matters; the budget adoption vote occurred earlier in the open session.