Setting the property tax rate should be simple and straightforward. Determine the necessary and desired expenses, subtract anticipated sales and vehicle registration fees, and divide the remainder by the aggregate property assessment valuations. That would be the property tax rate needed to fund the budget. Governments should not plan on receiving more taxes than absolutely needed. They do not need a profit to fund the stakeholders since those stakeholders are the ones providing the funds.

I would amend my formula to include a 120 day fund balance as part of the budget, but subtract the carryover fund balance before calculating the tax rate. Taxes beling to the citizens, not the county government.

Tomorrow you can speak out on the Tax Increase for Brazos County Residents. 9:15am Tuesday, September 19th at the Brazos County Commissioners Court.

https://theeagle.com/news/local/government-politics/brazos-county-public-hearing-tax-on-county-rate-tuesday/article_e522fe90-5410-11ee-8031-873ef7a473f2.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

"Fiscally Conservative" Nancy Berry and Duane Peter's 16% + tax increase will be on the agenda for public comment tomorrow. Brazos County ended the year with the 20+ million-dollar surplus with a no-new-revenue tax rate. Now they're playing political word games by saying they're not raising taxes while the amount of money we pay goes up and up and up.

If there are specific needs for more revenue--should they not be put in the budget to go through the proper rigor and public scrutiny?

These political folks rely on people not paying attention and getting involved. Just watch these tax-hiking pols campaign on being fiscally responsible and conservative! Those who pay attention should speak out tomorrow---- and then call BS at the ballot box.

As expected, their minds were already made up. Commissioners Court ignored the position of every speaker and the Republican Party of Brazos Valley, voted 4-1 to raise taxes.

https://www.kbtx.com/2023/09/20/brazos-county-commissioners-officially-set-new-tax-rate-budget/

I heard from Fred Brown this morning (having sat next to him at the County Commissioner Court tax rate meeting). He'll be running against Nancy Berry.

Wow. The meeting was interesting as the Commissioners totally dismissed the concerns shared by citizens in attendance. They went ahead and hiked our taxes when they have a large surplus. They obviously got blowback from constituents and must be feeling the pressure-- Commissioner Konderla offered up a lame "compromise" but it still hiked takes. Looked like a token effort to provide political cover?

Commissioner Aldrich held his position about not raising taxes and advocating for a no-new-revenue approach and seemed to be the only one who really knew the numbers. The County Judge struggled and stammered his way through trying to explain things, and Commissioner Konderla seemed really uncomfortable during the discussions.

Everyone should watch the on-line videos of the meeting to see all of this for themselves. Not one person in the crowd supported the tax hike. There are some interesting exchanges between commissioners you should see and judge for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBr2vAHXgDS3-MB0yjh9dAA

What's everyone's take on this?

Offering some questions to get the discussion started:

Why would Commissioners not want use already banked money to balance the budget?

Why could they not answer questions about the budget and justify what they're doing?

Why do they seem so detached from the financial hardships people are facing during our tough economy?

What's the "true" agenda here in amassing a huge amount of taxpayer money they want to keep in reserve? (This is in addition to the 20+ Million Dollar Surplus!)

What do you think is really going on?

to your detachment from hardship ..... they don't give a damn. never have, never will. they have pet projects that get them invited to cute little parties and weekends at a ranch. its DC in little old Bryan TX. they're all the same.

They have a thirst that can simply never be quenched.

Aldrich has more sense than the rest of them combined.

HWY6_RunsBothWays said:

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If you don't like the taxes, act now! Filing opens in November.
Three Commissioner Court seats will be on the ballot in 2024.

County Commissioner 1
County Commissioner 3
County Judge

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I'm sure the Peters team will find and fund a rubber stamp to run against Aldrich.

HWY6_RunsBothWays said:

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Yep.
Probably Karl Mooney so he can use county funds for a YMCA.

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Bentley Nettles. He's holding joint events and advertising with Nancy Berry. Should tell you everything you need to know.

We recycle our politicians until they wear out here in Brazos Co…..

Bentley Nettles has never run for political office as far as I can remember but hooking up with Nancy Berry means he is a "tax and spend liberal" as my late father used to refer to them. I'm not sure what will happen in the election but it turns out Aldrich is the only one who doesn't think we need to be taxed more for no reason. It's time for Judge Peters and Commissoner Berry to retire while we still have some money in our pockets!

EliteElectric said:

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Got so much money we need to spend some!



https://www.kbtx.com/2023/12/05/brazos-county-commissioners-hold-public-hearing-tax-abatement-guidelines/

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" The county says the goal is to stimulate economic growth by providing incentives for businesses that meet certain criteria."

What a joke. You now how you stimulate the economy? You keep more money in the pockets of citizens.