Johnson County eyes property tax rate increase

Johnson County property owners could see an increase in their county property tax rate next year as commissioners work to close a $17.5 million budget shortfall driven in part by rising health insurance costs and declining jail lease revenue.

Commissioners unanimously voted Monday to express their intent to increase the county’s tax rate from 38.9 cents per $100 of valuation to 41.7 cents for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

The record vote gauges commissioners’ intent but does not officially set the tax rate, County Judge Chris Boedeker said.

Commissioners will officially vote on the rate at 9 a.m. Sept. 14 in the Johnson County Courthouse, 2 N. Main St. in Cleburne. Commissioners will vote on the proposed county budget at 9 a.m. Sept. 8, also in the courthouse.

The increase is necessary because of inflation and current economic conditions, Boedeker said.

“Other banner items that led to the [increase proposal] came about because our health insurance coverage costs are going to increase by about $2 million per year,” he said. “We’re also anticipating decreases in our jail lease revenue numbers of about $3 million in the coming year.”

Historically, the county has gained revenue by leasing jail space for inmates from other counties. Lately, however, Johnson County inmates numbers have increased.

“The more of our people we have in there, the less space we have to lease out to other counties,” Boedeker said.

County Commissioner Rick Bailey said that the proposed tax rate, as did the current year’s tax rate, included a 1 cent addition necessitated by of $60 million worth of transportation bonds approved by voters two years ago.

The first draft of the budget coupled with revenue projections for the coming year showed a $17.5 million shortfall. Commissioners, through cuts to proposals for next year and other measures, managed to whittle that shortfall away.

“We had to find our way through the shortfall,” Boedeker said. “But the proposed budget that will be filed [Aug. 14] will be balanced to the penny.”

Boedeker and commissioners said the upcoming votes on the budget and tax rate both include a public hearing section and encouraged residents to attend and make public comments should they so choose.

In other news, commissioners voted to reduce the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on County Road 425 from Farm-to-Market Road 2415 and FM 3136. They voted too to install No Thru Truck signs along the road.

County Facilities Management Director Codey Sibley reported that the county, after four previous attempts, has received a $1.4 million state grant, of which the county will have to match $716,000.

The funds will go toward the stone steps fronting four entrances of the courthouse, installation of a larger flagpole on the courthouse dome and other items.

The 114-year-old entrance steps now weathered and cracked have long needed attention, Sibley said, and from wear and tear have resulted in leakage into the courthouse basement.

The new flagpole will make possible display of a larger flag.

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