County Judge Clarifies Commissioner’s Bankruptcy Remark

SAN ANGELO, TX – Tom Green County Judge Steve Floyd on Wednesday said the County is not in danger of bankruptcy after Precinct One Commissioner Ralph Hoelscher used the term during a tax rate vote Tuesday.

Hoelscher’s letter said, “In order to avoid county bankruptcy and total shutdown of county services which includes law enforcement, the County Judge, commissioners and auditor shall figure an estimated amount that would fully budget county departments, increase the employee salaries, and a contingency fund available to cover unknown expenses such as lawsuits and court appointed attorneys.”

Judge Floyd said, “Tom Green County is not in danger of bankruptcy.”  He continued, “Tom Green County is sound financially, and has an excellent credit rating built from years of conservative and prudent financial leadership.” 

The commissioner’s court on Tuesday voted to publish a tax rate that exceeds the effective rate for FY 2018, but is just under the rollback rate.  Following a series of budget hearings, the court had settled on a budget proposal with a tax rate of 52.5 cents per $100 in property value which created a deficit of $192,665.00. 

After much discussion and Hoelscher’s letter Tuesday, Precinct four commissioner Bill Ford said it made no sense to adopt a budget with a deficit and made a motion to set the tax rate at 54.5 cents per $100. 

Judge Floyd explains what happens next. “The action by the commissioner’s court was to publish a proposed operating budget and a proposed tax rate for FY 2018.  The final vote to adopt will be taken during a posted public meeting on August 29, 2017.”

Floyd says they will hold two public hearings on the budget and tax rate. “Public hearings will be held in the TGC commissioner’s court room on the second floor of the Keyes building on Tuesday, August 15 at 9:30 a.m. and Friday August 18 at 6:00 p.m.”

Floyd says they welcome input from taxpayers.  “All financial information for the FY 2018 proposed and prior budgets will be available.  We welcome and solicit input and suggestions.”