Grayson County has revealed its budget for 2027, which includes a significant increase in property tax revenue 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 will remain steady at 0.3051, which is lower than the state’s no new revenue rate. Judge Dawsey pointed out that property tax constitutes the smallest segment of the overall tax bills that homeowners receive.
Local residents, such as Brian Wilson from Luella, have voiced concerns about how the budget might impact their tax bills. Wilson noted the importance of growing budgets in rural areas, suggesting that while tax rates may rise, the quality of services could improve as a result. Judge Dawsey also mentioned the county's dependence on volunteer services in unincorporated areas, which adds pressure to the budget.
He referred to a previous unsuccessful attempt to introduce a sales tax that would have specifically benefited unincorporated regions, compelling the county to rely on the general fund for vital services like fire and emergency medical assistance.
The budget discussions reflect an increasing awareness among citizens regarding the financing of county government, with Judge Dawsey emphasizing the need for public engagement in understanding how property tax revenues support county services.
