Denton County tax rate to increase

by Staff of Lantana Links

Denton County Commissioners voted Tuesday to slightly raise the property tax rate as part of their 2009-10 budget.

The tax rate is expected to rise from 23.57 cents per $100 valuation to 24.98 cents, costing the average homeowner $31.32 more per year in county taxes.

"While there is a proposed 3.6% increase in the county tax rate, we will still be lower than it was five years ago and we anticipate it will still be the lowest county-wide tax rate of the top 15 most populated counties in Texas," said Denton County Commissioner Andy Eads.

While most of Denton County's revenue comes from property taxes, other sources of the county's income have taken a hit from the lagging economy as well, said Eads.

"We are expecting significantly lower interest rates next year, resulting in a loss of over $1.2 million in revenue. We have experienced a decrease in $900,000 in motor vehicle registrations due to fewer cars being sold in Denton County. We also anticipate $746,000 in lost revenue we earn by housing federal prisoners in our jail. The increase in crime has led to an increase in our own jail population, which means we can house fewer outside inmates. In fact, our own jail population has increased to the point that it will be expanded to house 48 more beds."

Eads said that he and the other Commissioners have submitted budget cuts and have frozen salaries, resulting in $10.5 million in budgeted savings.

Public hearings are scheduled for Aug. 25 and Sept. 1 to discuss the proposed tax rate, which is expected to be adopted at the Commissioner's Sept. 8 meeting.