KOUNTZE — The Hardin County Commissioners Court held its Sept. 8 meeting at the Hardin County Courthouse. The meeting began with the approval of several items, including the the filing for the minutes of the court, the District Court Orders establishing the compensation of the County Auditor, Assistant County Auditors, and Official Court Reporters of the 88th and 356th Judicial District Courts for fiscal year 2027, along with the setting of the salaries, expenses and other allowances of all elected county precinct officers for the 2027 fiscal year. Item Eight was the consideration and possible ratifying of the property tax revenue increase reflected in the Fiscal Year 2027 Hardin County Budget. “It shows that the 2026-2027 Hardin County Budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than the previous year’s budget by an amount of $1,88,328, which is a 4.254% increase from the previous year’s budget,” Judge Wayne McDaniel said. “The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $1,533,744.” The motion was approved, with the entire Fiscal Year of 2027 being adopted by the commissioners court. The motion to adopt a tax rate of 0.481223 per $100.00 valuation for the 2026 tax year, where the debt service tax rate is $0 per $100 valuation and the maintenance and operations tax rate is $0. 481223 per $100 valuation, was also approved. After adopting various budget and tax rate affairs, the commissioners court moved on to various items, which were adopted by the commissioners court. These include the request by County Commissioner Ernie Koch to enter into an agreement with the Hardin County Youth Soccer Club (HCYSC), where the HCYSC will contribute or reimburse $1,800 to Hardin County for the use of Hardin County Veteran’s Park concession stand, soccer fields, normal utilities, and supplies, the renewal by Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Monica Kelley, to authorize the County Judge to sign the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) Memorandum of Understanding for the 2026-2027 school year, and the renewal agreement with LIT Beaumont’s Nursing Program. At the meeting, Mrs. Misty Sims presented the results of bids received for overlaying approximately 1,120’ X 18’ of Beasley Drive located in Precinct 4, with two bids from CMM Construction at five dollars a square yard and Construction Managers of Southeast Texas for seven dollars a square yard. The motion was approved. Finally, the approved the authorization for the County Judge to apply to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for the FY27 Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program in support of Hardin County Emergency Services District 5 in the amount of $350,000.00 for the purchase of an ambulance, including necessary accessories and modifications.