Collin County commissioners began a weeklong series of budget workshops on Aug. 17, proposing a $359.7 million General Fund for fiscal year 2027 that would lower the county tax rate while still collecting $12.5 million more than last year.

For Allen homeowners, the proposed rate of $0.147806 per $100 of assessed value, down from the current $0.149343, would mean roughly $11 less in county taxes on a home valued near the city's median of about $500,000. That savings reflects only the county's slice of the tax bill; Allen residents also pay city, school district and Collin College rates that together exceed $1.62 per $100.

County Judge Chris Hill presided over the opening session at the Jack Hatchell Administration Building in McKinney, with presentations expected from District Attorney Greg Willis, Sheriff Jim Skinner, Tax Assessor-Collector Scott Grigg and other department heads through the week, the Wylie News reported.

The General Fund increase of 10.6% over last year's adopted $325.1 million budget is driven largely by growth. County budget documents cited in the workshop agenda show $7.75 billion in new construction added to the tax rolls, generating $11.45 million in revenue from properties that were not previously taxed.

The proposed rate is the no-new-revenue rate, meaning existing property owners would pay no more in county taxes than last year on the same assessed value. The voter-approval rate — the ceiling commissioners could set without triggering an election — is $0.152882.

What the money buys

The recommended budget funds 2,173.5 positions out of 2,332 requested by county departments and includes $8.42 million for employee performance raises and market-based salary adjustments. Across all funds, spending could reach $639 million if commissioners approve every staff request beyond the $610.8 million baseline.

The agenda also includes a $789,790 amendment to the Outer Loop Segment 3A engineering contract with Jacobs Engineering Group. Of that, $683,568 covers added scope driven by new development along the corridor and coordination with Denton County, Celina, Grayson-Collin Electric and FEMA on a Doe Branch Creek flood model. The remaining $106,222 reflects higher billing rates on a contract originally awarded in December 2022.

November election formally called

Commissioners formally called the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election and appointed election judges who will serve through July 31, 2028. Under Texas Election Code, judge appointments follow a formula based on the last governor's race, with names submitted by the two county party chairs. As we reported Aug. 15, the November ballot will also carry the county's $817.5 million bond package.

How to weigh in

A public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate is expected Sept. 11, based on preliminary notices posted to community forums, though the date has not been confirmed on the county's official budget calendar. Budget workshop sessions continue at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Jack Hatchell Administration Building, 2300 Bloomdale Road, McKinney.

Residents can sign up to speak at Commissioners Court meetings in person or email the court through contact information posted at collincountytx.gov.