County residents will be facing a tax increase this year as county officials prepare to offset increasing expenses and construct a brand new building on the courthouse square.

County commissioners plan to decide in their September 11 meeting to bump the tax rate for the next fiscal year from 78.85 cents per $100 property valuation up to 82.41 cents.

The difference will mean about $20 extra in taxes per year per $50,000 worth of property owned. A county resident owning a $50,000 home and home site would have paid $394.25 in county tax under the old rate and will pay $412.05 under the new rate.

Several factors played into the decision county officials made to increase the county’s tax rate. County Judge Alger Kendall, Jr. said the decision was believed to be the best move the county could make.

"The cost of everything has gone up over the last year," he said. "The employees were given a raise this year … and of course we are faced with doing something about our buildings."

The current courthouse literally is falling apart and Karnes County has big plans to proceed with a restoration grant.

The grant money will put the old courthouse back similar to the way it was when it first was built, but that means county officials will be left with less space.

Already running short of space in the current facilities, the only alternative is to build more space, according to county officials.

"We are going forward with this grant to restore the courthouse. When we do, we will have to move out while they’re doing the work, and then we will not have as much space available after" the work is done, Kendall explained. "Looking at other counties that have gone through the same thing … it was better to have something when you get through with the courthouse that is a benefit to the county.

"You can end up spending just as much money (on renting or leasing) as we’re going to spend for a brand new building on the courthouse square. I think we’ll have something that’s really worthwhile when we get through here."

A tax increase isn’t guaranteed for all county residents, though.

All taxes are dependent upon property value, and if an owner’s property is appraised lower this year than it was last year, that owner could end up paying less tax even with an overall increase in the tax rate.

A public hearing will be held during the September 11 meeting.