Due to the Labor Day holiday, the County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8th.
The first meeting began at 8:30 a.m. to allow for public comment on the proposed County Budget and make any last minute changes to it during the review. No public comment was offered, and the Commissioners from Precincts 1,3, and 4 made minor changes which did not impact the overall total of the budget.
At 8:45 a.m., the second meeting was convened to allow for public comment on the proposed County Tax Rate for FY 26/27. There were no public comments offered, however Commissioner Greg McGregor noted that the County Tax Rate has gone down every year since the FY20/21 time period. The proposed tax rate was $.342505 for Maintenance & Operations (M&O), $.115926 for Roads and Bridges (R&B), and $.007495 for Interest and Service (I&S) for a total County Tax Rate of $.465926.
The regular meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. Public comments were called for, and Jeff Carlson, Republican County Chair, announced that Nate Sheets, Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, would be visiting San Saba County on October 9th as part of a campaign bus tour through rural Texas.
Next, the previous meetings' minutes were reviewed and approved. Following that, the Commissioners approved the FY 26/27 Budget and then approved, by record vote, the County Tax Rate of $.465926.
Next, Linebarger attorney Carrie Pickering presented a check to the county for Tax Sale Excess Proceeds in the amount of $1349.46. She also provided information on other checks which were to be given to the City of San Saba, Richland Springs ISD as well as San Saba ISD, and the Water District. She explained the process on how these funds were collected, and all in attendance were very grateful for her, and her firm's, great work on the County's behalf.
The Commissioners then approved applying for a FY26/27 grant from the SB22 Salary Assistance Grant Program for our County Sheriff's Department. It was noted that this grant program has been successfully used in the past and is very beneficial to the County.
Next up was a request for the Commissioners to determine if the city of San Saba could use excess, reclaimed asphalt accumulated by TxDOT when they replace roads. This item was tabled so the County could get more information from TxDOT on exactly how and when the materials could be used.
Following this, the Commissioners approved keeping the Burn Ban in effect, especially given the lack of rain.
The meeting finished up with the Treasurer's Line Item Transfers and Accounts Payable being discussed and approved, followed by Departmental Reports. The Sheriff's Report was 373 days with an average of 12.03.
The next Commissioners Court meetings will be September 21st, October 5th and the 26th…all at 9 a.m.