Potential county sales tax, public hearing for subdivision rules on agenda for Monday, July 27, county meeting
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
The Stephens County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Stephens County Subdivision Rules and Regulations at the beginning of their regular meeting, which will start at 9 a.m. Monday, July 27, in the Stephens County Annex Building, 222 N. Baylor Ave., across from the law enforcement center.
The commissioners first approved county subdivision regulations in 2021.
Click here to see the proposed documents, and click here to see the regulations that are currently in place.
The public hearing will be open to the public to address the commissioners about the subdivision rules and proposed changes.
Considering a county sales tax
Also on the agenda for Monday’s meeting is a discussion about creating a county assistance district so that Stephens County can collect sales tax in the unincorporated areas of the county. After a brief conversation about proposing a county sales tax during the July 13 meeting, the commissioners said they would schedule a public hearing on the topic in August; they then tabled the agenda item.
If the commissioners approve the proposal in August, following a public hearing, the issue of a county sales tax will be put on the November 2026 ballot.
In November 2024, Stephens County residents living outside the city limits of Breckenridge voted down a similar proposal. By a margin of almost 2-to-1, the voters rejected the proposed tax. There were 1,207 votes against the tax and 612 votes for it. For more information on the 2024 proposal, click here.
Currently, businesses located in Stephens County but outside of Breckenridge collect only 6.25% sales tax for the State of Texas. Likewise, residents in the unincorporated area pay 6.25% sales tax on taxable mail-order items. In the City of Breckenridge, an additional 2% sales tax is charged by the City.
The proposed county sales tax will not change the 8.25% currently charged in the City of Breckenridge; it will remain the same. If approved, a county tax would mean that businesses and residents in the unincorporated areas of the county will charge/pay 8.25%, as well.
Other agenda items
The agenda for the July 27 meeting also includes:
- Consideration of a proposed industrial development process
- Discussion of the light system at the La Casa Windfarm
- Discussion and possible action on a Road Repair Settlement Agreement between Stephens County and La Casa Wind, LLC.
- Discussion regarding the Road Use Plan from Crocus Solar
- Discussion and possible action on the Stephens County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Click here to see the complete agenda.
Cutline, top photo: The Stephens County Commissioners held their regular semi-monthly meeting on July 13 in the Stephens County Annex Building; they will meet again on Monday, July 27. Pictured, from left, are Commissioners Mark McCullough and David Fambro, County Judge Will Thompson, and Commissioners Will Warren and Tanner Wade. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
