County looking at possible tax rate increase

With mineral values down substantially from a year ago, Jack County taxpayers are looking at a fairly substantial tax increase for the next county budget year.

Jack County Judge Keith Umphress told commissioners during their meeting Monday, June 28, that while preliminary property values are up for the year, mineral values are down significantly, meaning about a six percent decrease overall in funds. To maintain the same budget as last year, Umphress told commissioners to expect about a $0.03 tax increase, from $0.53 to $0.56 cents per $100 valuation. Department heads recently submitted their budget want list as well, which included up to seven new positions.

“The $0.03 increase would be for just to maintain what we had last year,” Umphress said. “To fund these other positions, we’re had to add another $0.03 (up to $0.59). You know as well as I do, the general public isn’t going to like that one bit.”

For the full story, see the Wednesday, July 7, edition of the Jacksboro Herald-Gazette.