Williamson County Residents Will Likely See Higher Taxes: Judge Dan Gattis

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Residents can expect to may more county taxes during fiscal year 2018 driven by brisk regional growth, a top official said.

Williamson County commissioners are still hammering away at developing a budget, but Williamson County Judge Dan Gattis has predicted the outcome: "You're going to pay more taxes, he said at the end of a nine-hour marathon budget session on Tuesday, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman. "Your property values are going up, and the county's needs are going up."

Brisk growth in Williamson County can be seen in the resident influx and housing starts. With that added population, city services have often been stretched to the limit. As an example, budget officer Ashlie Koenig recommended the hiring of 31 additional full-time employees at a cost of $2.5 million and six additional crew members for a new EMS station scheduled to open in Cedar Park.

Additionally, Koenig wants eight more people handling septic-system permitting and inspection duties, although related permitting fees are expected to cover the cost of that hiring, according to the report. To new detectives are needed for the sheriff's office and another deputy constable for Precinct 3.

Other big expenses includes 3 percent staff merit raises for a total of $2.2 million.

All this costs money, hence Gattis' prediction of a tax increase. Last year, commissioners adopted a $302.5 million budget funded by a 47.65-cent tax rate, but it won't be until Aug. 29 that a new budget will be hammered out. Public hearings on the proposed tax rate are scheduled Aug. 15 and Aug. 22.

>>>Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

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