Tyler

By ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writer

Smith County commissioners are scheduled to adopt their fiscal year 2009 budget and tax rate on Monday, holding the tax rate level but spending more money, due to increased property valuations.

Operating fund revenues are up about 7.8 percent from last year's $61.22 million to an estimated $65.99 million for FY 2009, which starts on Oct. 1.

Spending is also up in the proposed budget from last year's $59.63 million (again, that's the operating funds) to $69.33 million in the proposed FY 2009 budget. That's an increase of about 16.2 percent.

The county's reserve ratio -- the "rainy day fund" that is a sign of its fiscal stability, and a potential factor in the how advantageous an interest rate the county can get if it sells bonds for that new jail -- is estimated to be 12.25 percent for FY 2009, up from 2008's 9.82 percent.

The proposed tax rate, the same as last year, is 28.8940 cents per $100 in property valuation.

Because the average home value in Smith County rose this year -- from $126,719 to $131,899, or about 4 percent -- many homeowners will see a higher tax bill. On that average home, for example, the bill would be up $14.97 from $366.14 to $381.11 (also about 4 percent).

A public hearing on the budget will take place at 9 a.m. Monday. That will be followed by a vote on adopting the budget and the tax rate.

Also on Monday, commissioners will consider cutting budgetary ties with the county's volunteer fire departments. In prior years, the county has provided some funding for the departments. Now, however, these agencies are funded through the Emergency Services District No. 2.

"Now they have their own taxing entity," Commissioner Bobby Van Ness explains. "So they're not a part of our budget anymore."

Commissioners meet on the first floor of the Smith County Courthouse Annex, 200 E. Ferguson St.

Other items to be considered for approval on Monday include: