Allen property owners face a county tax rate increase after the Collin County Commissioners Court votes on the fiscal year 2027 (FY 2027) budget Monday, Sept. 14.
The combined rate would rise to $0.151414 per $100 of assessed value, up from $0.149343, where it has held for three straight years, according to the county's meeting agenda.
That amounts to a 2.19% effective tax increase over the no-new-revenue rate of $0.147806. The rate applies to homes, commercial property and multifamily buildings countywide, including Allen.
The increase comes alongside a 2.50% decline in average home values, according to a meeting preview by Shelby Williams, a Republican candidate for Collin County Commissioner Precinct 4.
Williams wrote Sept. 13 that "budget adoption is the biggest thing the Court does all year, and is a statutory duty."
The court, led by County Judge Chris Hill, is set to meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Jack Hatchell Administration Building, 2300 Bloomdale Road, McKinney.
Budget adoption requires ten separate votes, including public hearings on the proposed tax rate and budget, then individual votes on the maintenance and operations rate ($0.109564), the debt service rate ($0.041850) and the combined rate.
New TIRZ policy on the table
Beyond the budget, commissioners are also set to vote on a formal policy of non-participation in any future Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs). A TIRZ freezes a portion of property tax revenue in a designated area and redirects it to fund development there.
Since 2011, the county has decided TIRZ participation case by case. The proposed policy would replace that with a blanket refusal.
The shift would affect cities across Collin County that use TIRZs to attract development. Williams noted the policy would apply to the proposed Dallas Stars arena TIRZ in Plano. In McKinney's existing TIRZ zones, the county dedicates half its annual tax increment.
Elected official pay
Commissioners are also scheduled to set FY 2027 salaries for elected officials. Commissioner pay would rise from $160,816.24 to $168,101.62. County Judge Hill's salary would be set at $191,539.17.
Justices of the Peace would receive $154,150.05, and Constables $138,340.78. District Judge supplements would jump from $18,000 to $25,000. Supplements for the Sheriff and District Attorney would hold flat.
Sheriff pushes back on budget cut
One budget decision already drawing criticism is the elimination of Sgt. Jessica Pond's position in the Sheriff's Office. Pond serves as the office's public information sergeant. The cut takes effect Oct. 1.
Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner said in an Aug. 23 statement that the decision forced him to cancel Citizens Academy Class 30, which was scheduled to run August through November. Skinner said he had sought clarification from the Commissioners Court on how his office would handle public information and media requests but had not received a response.
What's ahead
A separate $817.5 million bond election is on the Nov. 3 ballot. If voters approve it, projections show the debt rate rising from 4.18 cents to as much as 4.95 cents per $100 of value.
Residents can watch the meeting through Collin County's online video portal or speak in person by filling out a card at the County Clerk's office before the 1:30 p.m. start.
