Randall County officials took a closer look at the proposed 2025–2026 budget and property tax rate during Tuesday morning’s regular Commissioners Court meeting, with discussions focusing on projected revenues, expenditures, and upcoming public hearings.
According to Randall County Tax Assessor-Collector Christina McMurray, the appraised property value for the upcoming fiscal year stands at $21,450,816,360. The 2025 assessed value, based on 100% of market value, is slightly higher at $21,454,816,360. The taxable property value, after exemptions, is $17,955,247,919.
The county has calculated its “no-new-revenue” tax rate at $0.38461 per $100 of taxable value. This is the rate at which the county would bring in roughly the same total property tax revenue as last year, accounting for changes in property values. The “voter-approval” tax rate — the maximum rate the county can set without requiring voter approval — is $0.40099 per $100.
The proposed tax rate for 2025 is set at $0.40099, which represents a slight decrease of 0.04% from the current rate. While the rate itself would drop, the county still expects to raise more overall property tax revenue due to higher property values and new development.
Officials project that the proposed budget will generate $2,905,469 more from property taxes than last year’s budget, a 4.51% increase. Of that increase, $1,540,049 is expected to come from new properties added to the tax roll this year.
Revenue and Expenditure Breakdown
Total revenue from all budgeted funds for the 2025–2026 fiscal year is expected to reach $106,873,204. The general fund — the primary operating fund that covers most county services, including law enforcement, the courts, and administrative functions — makes up 73% of that total.
Expenditures for the same period are projected to be $118,539,990. Of that amount, the general fund accounts for 63% of the total spending. The gap between revenues and expenditures will be addressed through transfers and use of reserve balances.
The county estimates the remaining general fund balance for the end of fiscal year 2026 will be $29,621,431. Looking ahead, the general fund is expected to bring in $78.6 million in revenue, with expenditures of $74.4 million. The budget also anticipates $2 million in transfers into the general fund and $8.2 million in transfers out to other funds or designated projects.
Public Input Opportunities
County residents will have two upcoming opportunities to weigh in on the proposed budget and tax rate. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 9 a.m. on August 26. A separate public hearing on the tax rate will be held September 9, with a vote on both the budget and tax rate expected immediately afterward.
Commissioners emphasized that while the proposed tax rate is slightly lower than the current year’s, increased property values mean that most property owners will likely see a modest increase in the county portion of their property tax bill.
The budget process is a balancing act between maintaining essential county services and managing taxpayer impact. Population growth, inflationary pressures, and the need for infrastructure maintenance continue to drive spending needs, while economic conditions influence how much the county can realistically collect without placing undue burden on residents.
As the process moves forward, the Commissioners Court is expected to continue reviewing allocations for major departments, planned capital improvements, and reserve levels to ensure the county remains financially stable.
Residents interested in the budget and tax rate discussions are encouraged to attend the public hearings or submit written comments to the Commissioners Court. Both hearings will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at the Randall County Courthouse.
With decisions on the budget and tax rate set for early September, county leaders are signaling that fiscal year 2025–2026 will see careful adjustments — modestly lower rates paired with slightly higher revenues — to keep up with growing demands on county resources while attempting to limit the impact on taxpayers.
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