By Anton Riecher
The Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners voted Sept. 16 to approve a fiscal year 2026-2027 budget of $927,821 supported by a 2026 ad valorem tax rate of $0.0548 per $100 valuation, the maximum rate allowed under state law without the risk of a repeal election.
According to Medina County Appraisal District calculations, the new tax rate represents a 5.18 percent increase over the previous year. The average homestead taxable value is calculated at $201,873, an increase of 4.79 percent over the previous year.
No comment against the increase was raised during a public hearing preceding the 4-0 vote of the board on both the budget and the tax rate. Board treasurer Debbie Randall was absent for the meeting.
Board vice president Patrick Bourcier made the motion supporting the new budget and seconded the motion favoring the rate hike.
“Because we have so much going on I’m a little concerned not so much about what we know as what we don’t know and could pop up and bite us,” he said. “I know that we have the legal right to go to the voter approved rate. And if we get through next year and come out in great shape and decide we…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!