County Proposes $110.9 Million 2020 Budget

Comal County taxpayers got a first look at the proposed county budget for 2020 at Commissioners Court on Thursday.

County Judge Sherman Krause unveiled his proposed budget for 2020, asking the county spend to  $110.9 million next year.

As presented, the proposal includes 28 new positions – 14 of them in law enforcement, four in the Road and Bridge Department and three in the district attorney’s office – and a revised salary structure designed to bring the county’s wages in line with comparable counties. The proposed budget does not increase salaries for elected officials.

The tax rate to fund the budget would be 37.8 cents, about 2 cents more than in 2019 – an annual increase of about $50 on property valued at $250,000.

“We’re asking the taxpayer to pay for what we need,” Krause told the crowded courtroom.

“Significant growth,” with population estimates of between 160,000 and 165,000 residents creates challenges for the county budget, he said.

The proposed 2019 combined tax rate is is 37.7915 cents per $100 assessed property valuation.

Public hearings on the proposed tax rate and 2020 budget are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 29 and Sept. 3.

Commissioners will vote on the new tax rate in September. To see the budget calendar, click here.

To review the 2020 budget in its entirety, click here.