County proposes lower tax rate

Milam County Commissioners proposed a tax rate of 54.2 cents per $100 valuation during a meeting on Monday.

They will approve the tax rate on Sept. 9 during their regular meeting.

The new tax rate is .0712 cents lower than the previous tax rate of 61.32 cents per $100 valuation. The proposed maintenance and operations tax rate is 48.9133 cents and the interest and sinking tax rate is .052867 cents for a total tax rate of 54.2 cents.

Commissioners also held public hearings for several solar projects during the meeting Monday.

They voted to not follow through with revocation of a tax abatement for Cattleman I Solar Park LLC after Commissioner James Denman said the company has been in contact with him and has agreed to follow through on the road use agreement that was in place with the tax abatement agreement.

The amendments to the tax abatement agreements with Pinegate Renewables on the Jungmann LLC solar project and the Gransolar solar project were tabled for discussion between the companies and Commissioners Henry Hubnik and Wesley Payne. According to company representatives the projects have been delayed due to drought conditions and they are seeking an extension to the agreements.

The commissioners also tabled the amendment to the tax abatement agreement with Yaupon Solar Energy Storage LLC until land can be purchased by the company for a battery storage facility.

Commissioners also approved the Notice of Election for the November 2024 election and approved Saturday and Sunday times for early voting.