Brown County Commissioners adopted an increased tax rate of $0.5955 for the 2015-2016 FY at their regular meeting held this week. This rate consists of a $0.4643 rate for the general fund, $0.0503 debt service and $0.0809 rate for road and flood. This new rate is $0.0211/$100 evaluation higher than the 2014 rate of $0.5744/$100 evaluation. This new rate will generate an increase in the revenue from property taxes by $1,007,895 over last year’s rate, an increase of 7.86%, or an additional $17.50/year tax increase on a $100,000 home according to County Judge Ray West. New property added to the tax roll will generate $128,423.60 in property tax revenue for the county.
A public hearing was held with no citizens’ comments before commissioners unanimously adopted the 2015-2016 FY budget of $18,725,009.
In other matters on this week’s agenda:
*Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Bryan Thompson received approval of salary changes for replacement chief clerk.
*Commissioner Precinct 3 Wayne Shaw received approval for replacement employee.*Brown County Sheriff’s Captain Vance Hill received approval for the purchase of external vest carriers and undershirts for the uniformed deputies, which will be funded out of BCSO donation funds. Bullet proof vests are able to be inserted into these vest carriers which can be worn over clothing, rather than underneath, to allow for comfort and ease of wearing/taking off the protective vests. Total cost for vests and undershirts for 19 deputies will be $2469.62 according to Hill.
