By Mark Archibald
Henderson County Commissioners adopted the 2027 budget as well as the tax rate, during Tuesday’s meeting of Commissioner’s Court. The tax rate which decreased over the previous year, will fund necessary services and county priorities.
Commissioners agreed unanimously to set the cumulative Henderson County tax rate at $0.3434650 per $100 of taxable valuation.
“This rate funds the budget which will pay for the county’s priorities and provide services”, said Pct. 2 Commissioner Charles McHam.
The adopted rate includes a General Fund tax rate of 0.284576 per $100 of taxable valuation, while the rate for the Road and Bridge tax was set at $0.017687.
The Farm to Market & Flood Control Rate was set at $.041202.
The budget adopted Tuesday projects an increase in revenue of $1.246 million, which represents an effective tax increase of 3.47%.
This represents a $23.94 annual increase on a $200,000 home.
“The budget addresses public safety needs including communication system upgrades and additional investigator for the crimes against children task force,” said Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney
Pct. 3 Commissioner Charles McHam discussed the budget which also funds the several facility and infrastructure needs of county buildings.
The decisions followed public hearings on the proposed tax rate and 2027 budget.
The minutes of the Aug. 25 and Sept. 1 Commissioner Court meetings were approved.
Commissioners approved a motion to extend the county burn ban until Oct. 6. The action was recommended by Henderson County Fire Marshall Mitchell Pate.
He reported that dry conditions persist in the majority of Henderson County which is in line with approximately 90% of Texas Counties which are currently under burn bans.
The burn ban allows limited, licensed burns for safety industrial and agricultural purposes, according to Texas law.
Commissioners approved the nomination of Ginger Morton and Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney to fill vacancies on the Henderson County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
McKinney was nominated to fill a term set to expire on Dec. 31, 2029.
Morton was nominated for a term set to expire on Dec. 31, 2027.
The motion passed 4-0-1, with Judge McKinney abstaining from the vote.
Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Crossroads ISD, Malakoff ISD, Brownsboro ISD, City of Coffee City, City of Enchanted Oaks, Gun Barrel City, City of Tool, Emergency Services District No. 1, City of Trinidad and City of Eustace, to conduct elections for the above entities.
The county will be reimbursed their cost for administering the election by the various entities.
The Court also ordered a notice of election for November 3, 2026, General Election.
There will be five early voting locations for voters throughout the county, and 15 voting centers open throughout the county to serve registered voters in Henderson County.
Commissioners accepted receipt of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission Formula Grant for the 2026 budget year, in the amount of $57,692.
The county spends an estimated $1.4 million annually on indigent defense.
Commissioners designated Southern Cement Slurry, LLC, to be the sole source for liquified cementitious products for Henderson County.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Mark Richardson expressed hope that the slurry product would reduce dust and mitigate a portion of the cost associated with hauling water.
Commissioners approved the elected official bond for Barbra Lovelady Henderson County’s Tax Assessor Collector to be filed with the County Clerk’s Office.
Lovelady, who currently serves as Chief Deputy in the Tax Assessor Collector’s Office, was appointed to fill the remaining term of Peggy Goodall who retired after 31 years with the County.
Commissioners also accepted the annual financial statements for Emergency Services District number 7, for the 2025 budget year.
This action is routine and in accordance with state statutes.
The Court also accepted annual financial statements from Henderson County Emergency Services District #11, for the 2024-2025 budget year.
The action is routine, is in accordance with state law, and is for filing purposes only.
Henderson County Commissioners adopted the amended 2027 Henderson County Budget.
Commissioners adopted the preservation and restoration records plan for the County and District Clerk’s for the 2027 budget, as presented.
Commissioners approved various municipal court reports, which are available for public review.
The Court had no payroll distributions or account cash sheets, contracts, or bids to consider, Tuesday.
Several permits to cross right- of ways were approved to allow for fiber instillation were approved across Henderson County.
The Court also approved various budget amendments as presented.
A motion to pay one set of bills pertaining to juvenile county funded funds in the amount of $3,556 was approved as presented.
A second set of bills for the 2026 fiscal year totaling $686,311, was also approved.
A replat in the Pinnacle Club Subdivision Phase 1 located in Pct. 2 was approved.
The Henderson County Commissioners’ Court meets at 9 a.m. Every Tuesday unless otherwise noted inside the Annex Building, 125 N. Prairieville Street in Athens.