The Brazos County Commission is proposing a 2012 fiscal year budget that holds the tax rate almost the same as this year.
Commissioners are asking the owner of a $170,000 dollar home to pay an additional $29 in property taxes next year.
But because it’s above the effective tax rate, two public hearings have been scheduled.
County Judge Duane Peters says unfunded mandates continues to be one of problems. One example is an increase of over $156,000 dollars for state-required indigent health care.
Brazos County Judge Duane Peters visits about budgeting indigent expenses.
Peters says among the increased costs are taking care of more inmates at the new county jail.
Judge Peters on the rising inmate population at the new county jail.
Savings from past years will be used on daily operations. That means a delay on the fourth phase of renovating the courthouse. Peters says the only capital project next year is replacing outdated computer software for the courts and law enforcement.
Peters says the same amount of money will go into county roads and bridges, meaning less will be done due to rising costs of materials and fuel.
The county judge says vacant positions have been eliminated but no county employees will be laid off.
Public hearings are set for the first two Tuesdays of September at 4:45 p.m. at the county administration building in downtown Bryan.
Click HERE to read the proposed 2012 Brazos County budget.
Click HERE to read the public hearing notice.