Williamson County Approves $702M Budget, Property Taxes Climb | The Locally Times
The newly approved tax rate will increase maintenance and operations taxes by 8.82 percent, adding approximately $21.63 to a $100,000 home's bill.
Williamson County residents are bracing for higher property tax bills after County Commissioners approved a $702 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, a spending plan that offers little detail on how the money will be spent despite increasing taxes. Approved on September 3, 2025, the budget totals $702,428,992 and includes an adopted property tax rate of $0.413776 per $100 valuation, identified as the voter-approval tax rate on the county's website. ## Increased Tax Burden, Unclear Spending The newly adopted tax rate of $0.413776 per $100 valuation, designated as the voter-approval tax rate, will generate an 8.82 percent increase in maintenance and operations taxes compared to the previous year. This translates to an approximate $21.63 rise in property taxes for maintenance and operations on a $100,000 home. Despite the increase in revenue, public records do not detail how the county plans to allocate the $702,428,992 budget across specific departments, programs, or infrastructure projects. While the budget is broadly divided into the General Fund, Road and Bridge Fund, and Debt Service Fund, the specific impacts of this substantial spending plan on county services remain unclear to taxpayers. ## Budget Transparency Falls Short While the county provides avenues for residents to review the budget, a detailed breakdown of how the $702 million will be spent remains elusive. The adopted FY26 budget became available online and at the County Clerk’s Office by September 30, 2025. Street, Georgetown, Texas). However, these access points do not offer granular detail on specific departmental allocations or the initiatives funded by the increased tax revenue, leaving the public without a clear understanding of the budget's impact on county services. ## County Actions: Flood Planning and Procurement Excellence Beyond the budget, the Williamson County Commissioners Court has taken other significant actions. During its March 24 meeting, the court adopted the Atlas 14 Floodplain Mapping Study. This study incorporates updated scientific rainfall data from the US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and topography to pinpoint flood-prone areas, including previously unstudied waterways. The findings will guide future growth and inform strategic measures to reduce flood risk, serving as official rainfall data for drainage and floodplain management in unincorporated areas, particularly key after past severe flooding events. In separate news, the Williamson County Purchasing Department earned its 26th consecutive Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute Inc. The award, received on March 31, 2026, recognizes public procurement organizations for innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership, and e-procurement practices. Williamson County stands as one of only 48 counties nationwide to receive the 2025 award. The Purchasing Department is also scheduled to host a virtual Vendor Forum on April 30, 2026, aimed at helping businesses access county procurement opportunities. ## Key Questions **How much will my property taxes increase for maintenance and operations?** A $100,000 home will see an approximate increase of $21.63 in property taxes for maintenance and operations due to an 8.82 percent effective tax rate increase. **When was the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget approved?** The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget on September 3, 2025. **Where can residents review the full budget details?** The adopted FY26 budget became available for review online and in the County Clerk’s Office no later than September 30, 2025, with information on the Budget Office website.