Denton County Commissioners Court recently approved a budget of $416 million.
County Judge Andy Eads and Commissioners Ryan Williams (Precinct 1), Kevin Falconer (Precinct 2), Bobbie Mitchell (Precinct 3), and Dianne Edmondson (Precinct 4) all voted in favor of the budget.
The 2024-2025 budget includes $7.35 million for public safety; $4.57 million for judicial and legal services; $2.7 million for Technology Services for new positions, increased software maintenance cost, and technology equipment maintenance; $2.5 million for Capital Improvement Projects funded in the Permanent Improvement Fund and increased repairs and maintenance; and $1 million in funds for Denton County MHMR for the Crisis Residential Unit and the Substance Use Disorder Program.
“With rising costs and inflation hitting Denton County residents even more this past year, lowering the tax rate was again a main priority,” said Eads, reported The Cross Timbers Gazette. “Our law enforcement and criminal justice systems are of vital importance to our role as your county government. As we continue to grow, we must earmark funds to ensure we can provide safety, protection, and timely access to the justice system.”
The Denton Record-Chronicle reports on the new budget. Here’s the start of the story:
During Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Denton County Commissioners Court approved a $416 million budget and the county’s lowest property tax rate since 1986.
Commissioners’ approval of the budget this week took longer than expected as they were trying to settle an issue with Denton County MHMR Center funds.
Executive Director Pam Gutierrez asked the commissioners at the last minute about funding the crisis residential unit and the substance use disorder program at the facility due to the programs’ potential closure.
The crisis residential unit provides a home to clients for two weeks who are experiencing mental health crises. The substance use disorder program is a step-by-step program intended to assist individuals seeking substance abuse help.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Ryan Williams criticized Gutierrez for asking for funds at the last minute.
“When we met with each of you, we had discussed that the crisis residential unit and our substance use programs were operating at a loss,” Gutierrez said. “I apologize that I didn’t use the words that the crisis residential unit was at risk of being closed, and so I apologize for that.”
Gutierrez told the commissioners that it’s hard to maintain the program because of staffing and retention issues the agency has faced.