Officials OK budget, small tax increase

COLORADO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT

The Colorado County Commissioners Court approved its 20252026 fiscal year budget and a miniscule increase for property taxes during its meeting, Monday, Sept. 8, in Columbus.

The court approved a property tax rate of $0.464918 per $100 valuation for this upcoming fiscal year. The 2024-2025 property tax rate was $0.464913 per $100 valuation. According to the public notice, the small increase will raise the property tax value of the current median- value homestead of $153,389 by one cent from $713.12 to $713.13. However, the raise will generate about $1,698,201 in additional revenue ($575,268 from new property added to the tax roll) compared to last year’s budget.

“The difference is de minimis, but the difference is big for the county because it does produce more revenue to keep up with growth and the ever-increasing expenses and the unfunded stuff that we get and we will be getting from this last legislative session,” County Judge Ty Prause said.

The now-adopted budget provides pay increases for elected employees and Colorado County Emergency Medical Services. The budget also accounts for the court’s approval of three additional EMS employees and two additional school resource officers employed by the Sheriff’s Office. Colorado County Volunteer Fire Department will receive increased funding to combat increased costs and inflation.

The next commissioners court meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m.