County submits draft budget

Jack County officials have submitted a preliminary budget but there is still work to be done and cuts to be made. Jack County Judge Keith Umphress said he has told department heads that with an increase in health insurance costs to the tune of $233, 000 over last year, they "will simply have to make do with what they have." "No new printers. No new copiers," Umphress said. "No cost of living increase. No conferences. The money is just not there."

To afford the 33% increase in health insurance, which the county pays for in full for its employees, the county can raise tax rates up to 3.5% without need for voter approval.

Umphress said doing that would raise $246, 000, leaving $13, 000 extra in the budget.

The county had already committed $15, 000 a year to put someone from the Helen Farabee Regional MHMR Center into a downtown office next to City Drug.

Other positions that are being considered to cut is a part-time maintenance position at the courthouse and financial support for the Jack County Rural Fire Department and potentially the Gladys Johnson Ritchie Public Library in Jacksboro.

With commissioners aware that taxpayers have had enough with their taxes and certified valuations up 22% from 2023, budget workshops are being held every Monday to make the necessary cuts so no increase in tax rate will be necessary.

"We encourage the public's input on this," Umphress said.

The health insurance increase comes even with increasing employee deductible from $750 to $1, 500.

Umphress said the county is still working with a company to negotiate the best deal with health insurance. Texas Association of Counties' health insurance bid was roughly $100, 000 less than the present bid but TAC's bid with Blue Cross Blue Shield had just one plan and is not accepted by Faith Community Hospital. "Our county health committee opted to stay with what we had (HUD International) and use United Health Care," Umphress said. "It's more expensive but they gave us three options which allows each employee to customize a plan that works best for their family and their children. Commissioners made the decision that employee health insurance is going to be their top priority."

Employees will continue to pay for their family and children's health insurance out of their own pocket. The Jack County Sheriff's Office budget, which constitutes about 60% of the overall budget, is solid with two new school resource officer positions for Bryson and Perrin schools being requested. Each will be funded by the county and the individual school districts in equal proportion, Umphress stated. Umphress said a final budget should be ready for commissioner vote at the end of August or first part of September.