2022-23 county tax rate approved

During its Tuesday, Sept. 20, meeting, the Ellis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a tax rate of 29.5867 cents per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2022-23.

The tax rate includes an interest and sinking rate of 1.3201 cents, a maintenance and operations rate of 25.98 cents and a farm-to-market rate of 2.2866 cents.

County Judge Todd Little compared the new tax rate to the county’s rate in 2012, which was around 41.5 cents. Since 2017, the tax rate has gradually decreased from 41.5 cents to 29.5 cents this year, he said.

The only new revenue the county is collecting is new construction value, Little explained to the court.

He said the budget still includes growth for law enforcement and includes “lots going toward” roads and bridges and to public improvements.

Little said it is a tax rate decrease by 12.9%, noting he is not aware of another county in the area with that large of a decrease.

Originally published September 23, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/business/2022-23-county-tax-rate-approved/article_f47d09c6-3ba7-11ed-8f2f-6b6d91675816.html