Grayson County has revealed its budget for 2027, which will result in a property tax revenue increase exceeding $3.5 million, marking a rise of 5.26% from the previous year. This increase is largely due to $2.7 million generated from new properties added to the tax roll this year.
Despite this increase, county officials, including Judge Bruce Dawsey, confirmed that the property tax rate of 0.3051 will remain unchanged. Judge Dawsey pointed out that this rate is still below the state’s no new revenue rate and represents the smallest portion of the overall tax bill for homeowners.
Concerns have been raised by residents, such as Brian Wilson from Luella, regarding the potential impact of the budget on their tax bills, with some suggesting that increased budgets in rural areas could lead to improved services.
The county's budget also reflects its dependence on volunteer services in unincorporated areas, which adds financial pressure. Judge Dawsey noted a previous unsuccessful attempt to implement a sales tax aimed at unincorporated areas, which has led the county to rely on the general fund for essential services, including fire and emergency medical services.
The discussions surrounding the budget highlight a growing public awareness of how county government is funded, with Judge Dawsey stressing the need for public engagement in understanding property tax contributions to county services.
