Rockwall County commissioners raised the tax rate Tuesday but won't see much additional money from the increase.
Property values dropped 1 percent to 3 percent on 80 percent of properties, Rockwall County Treasurer Bill Sinclair said, and would have brought in less tax revenue.
So to keep revenue about even, commissioners approved a .0114-cent tax increase – from 0.3750 cents per $100 of assessed value to 0.3864 cents.
Despite the minimal rate increase, a drop in property values means many homeowners could actually see a lower tax bill.
Annual taxes for a $209,608 residence, the county average, would rise $23.90 to $809.93, assuming the home's value remained the same.
If the value dropped, taxes would decrease.
Because the rate increase will not raise additional revenue, officials still face a $1.3 million deficit in the $28 million proposed 2010-11 budget.
Sinclair said the county will cover the deficit from the reserve fund of about $21 million.
Additional prosecutors for the new 439th district court are included. There are no major cuts.
A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 24.
County Judge Chris Florance said he was proud the Rockwall County budget didn't require a larger rate increase like some other North Texas cities and counties.
He said the only tax hike in the last nine years was a voter-approved increase to fund the Rockwall County Library.
"We're the fastest-growing county in Texas, the third-fastest in the U.S.," he said.
"And we've had the foresight to plan for that growth."
By Emily Fox / Dallas Morning News
