BELL COUNTY, Texas (KXXV) — Bell County has approved its budget for the coming year, and it includes a tax increase driven by road maintenance needs and the financial impact of new state tax exemption laws.
County leaders say the increase amounts to .0136 per \100 of property value, bringing the total to approximately $760 for the average homeowner.
Bell County Commissioner Russell Schneider said road upkeep is a core obligation of county government.
"We have a responsibility to keep our roads safe and maintained, yes sir, because people expect to drive down there whether they wanna pay for it or not, I mean. That's a responsibility."
The original proposed rate was about 2 cents higher, but some commissioners were not comfortable raising taxes by that amount without first seeking voter approval.
Bell County Commissioner Bobby Whitson said the process is about transparency with voters.
"This whole process is so that we can be honest and open and transparent with voters of how much roads need to be maintained and then to construct new roads. We go in November and tell them this, show them this based on our budget and explain to Greg's point exactly what we're talking about."
This year, the county divided its budget into two separate categories — operating funds and road and bridge maintenance — because of the high number and cost of road projects.
The county is also contending with lost revenue tied to new state tax exemption laws, which have reduced the amount of taxes being collected. Some residents have raised concerns that other taxpayers are now being asked to make up the difference.
"So when we say in the public vernacular around Bell County, we've lost revenue, the average taxpayer thinks that Bell County is doing without and that's clearly not the case. You've said those are realized costs. You have shifted that burden to other taxpayers," one neighbor said.
After debate, commissioners ultimately approved a no-new-revenue rate, meaning the county expects to collect the same total amount of money as the previous year. If needed, the county will draw from its emergency fund to cover operating expenses.
Commissioner Greg Reynolds said he supports the approach but cautioned against making reserve fund withdrawals a habit.
"I can generally support it, but I can tell you this we cannot keep drawing out of reserve. This has gotta be a one-time thing. We cannot like turn this into a, and that's why I so strongly supported your recommendation, Canada. Commissioner, to bring the road and bridge tax rate up to what we're actually spending today because then it's clear, everybody can see it. Nobody's got any confusion."
Schneider echoed that sentiment, noting that while the rate structure shifts between the general fund and road and bridge, the bottom line for taxpayers remains the focus.
"We're talking about going to the no new revenue rate and not going up on the taxes on that. Now it's gonna say we're going up on road and bridge and we're gonna go down on the general fund, but at the end of the day, the taxpayer wants to know what am I paying to."
The new combined tax rate is .3463 per \100 of property value, split between .2995forthecountybudgetand.2995forthecountybudgetand.0468 for the road and bridge maintenance fund. The average home in Bell County is valued at $219,708.
Harker Heights and Temple are set to finalize their own budgets this week as both cities navigate the financial impact of veteran and other state tax exemptions.
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