Falls County Commissioners Approve Budget, Tax Increase, Raises, and Opioid Settlement Participation
Falls County Commissioners Court met Monday, September 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., County Judge Jay Elliott, presiding. The Commissioners present were Milton Albright (Pct. 1), Rev. F.A. Green (Pct. 2), Jason Willberg (Pct. 3) and Nita Wuebker (Pct. 4). ADA Steve Sharp was present.
The meeting began with a public hearing on tax increase, public hearing on proposed 2025-2026 budget, vote on ratification of property tax rate reflected in budget and vote on adoption of tax increase. Moved by Commissioner Green and seconded by Commissioner Albright was the adopttion of the 20252026 budget and to ratify the property tax increase reflected in the 2025-2026 budget. Commissioner Albright moved the adoption of tax increase for 2025 tax rates per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2025-2026, specifically Maintenance and Operations, Interest and sinking fund obligations on debt and Farm to Market Lateral Roads. The total Proposed Tax Rates $0.764650. Seconded by Commissioner Wuebker, the motion passed.
Commissioner Green moved to aprove the $2400 annual raise for elected County Officials and County Employees. Seconded by Commissioner Albright, the motion carried. Commissioners approved the recommendation from the County Treasurer, Sheryl Pringle, concerning county investments, ESD #12-2024 annual audit and the distribution of the 2025 annual unclaimed credits revenue. Falls County Child Protective Services, Boys & Girls Club of Falls County, Faith, Hope and Chariety, Marlin Public Library and D. Brown Memorial Library will each receive $12,924.05.
The Commissioners went into Executive Session to consult with Attorney, re: accepting new proposed national opioids settlement agreements. After returning from closed session, Commissioner Wuebker moved to authorize the County Judge to execute participation and release forms regarding settlement offers dealing with the 8 Certain Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Defendants concerning the Texas opioid multidistrict litigation with Falls County. Second by Commissioner Green, the motion carried.
A resolution of the City of Marlin and City of Rosebud approving and authorizing an addendum to interlocal agreement for assessment and collection of taxes authorizing and appointing Falls County Tax Assessor-Collector to calculate applicable ad valoren tax rates for the 2025 tax year was approved. Commissioners approved compensatory time will pay out the last pay period of the month.
A public hearing on the proposed records preservation/ archive plan is scheduled October 13, 2025 to include all Indexes, Probate records, Right of way books, Deed of trust books, Oil, Gas & Mineral Leases, Commissioner”s Court Minutes, Historical Files and Assorted Books.