TYLER, Texas (EAST TEXAS NEWS) – Gregg County commissioners voted to approve a two-thirds-of-a-cent increase in the tax rate.
“Two-thirds of a cent amounts to about $7 a year on a $100,000 home,” said Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt. “So, individually it isn’t much, but when you add it up, it brings in additional funds.”
He added that the extra revenue will be very beneficial for the county.
“We have a fairly ambitious budget for what we’re trying to accomplish,” Stoudt said. “It will be used for a wide range of capital projects we have underway.”
Those projects include a new radio system for the sheriff’s department and road improvements valued at $2 million.
“We’re paying for everything in cash, we’re not borrowing,” said Stoudt. “The Legislature is going to change the way counties and cities operate. It has already started to close our revenue gap, and they’re talking about closing it even more. So the sooner we can do and complete some things, the better off the county will be in the long run.”
He added that the revenues would be deposited first into the general funds before being allocated to each project. The main goal is to pay off debt, the judge said.
“Saving us from debt. That has been my mission,” said Stoudt. “I believe in the pay-as-you-go system, in eliminating debt, and it has worked pretty well and will continue to work.”
“The increase is expected to last one year.”
In another action, the commissioners also chose to divert funds originally earmarked for a now-vacant employee to help with other road repairs.
