Flower Mound and Highland Village property taxpayers will get their first look at Denton County's proposed spending plan on Tuesday, Aug. 18, when the Commissioners Court receives the recommended FY 2026-27 budget at its 10 a.m. meeting.
A public hearing on the proposed tax rate and budget follows at 10 a.m. Sept. 22, the last scheduled opportunity for residents to weigh in before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Denton County Judge Andy Eads announced the timeline in a column published Friday, Aug. 14, by the Cross Timbers Gazette, saying the court's top priority is "ensuring our taxpayers receive the lowest possible property tax rate."
No dollar figure for the proposed budget has been released. Eads said ongoing development across the county helps offset rising costs of fuel, equipment, supplies and workforce. The full proposed budget will be posted at dentoncounty.gov once available.
Eads identified two main initiatives heading into the new fiscal year: strengthening emergency response and managing rapid population growth.
Mental health diversion pilot advances
The budget season arrives as the county pushes forward on a Mental Health and Diversion Center pilot program. The initiative, a partnership with Denton County Behavioral Health, Denton County Housing and Homelessness and the United Way of Denton County, would give law enforcement an alternative to jail for low-level, nonviolent offenders experiencing mental health challenges.
The pilot requires state funding. County officials are developing a strategic plan ahead of the upcoming Texas legislative session.
As we reported Aug. 8, a separate 15-partner coalition is already funding a $75,000 strategic plan for a broader diversion center, developed by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. Denton County committed $45,000 to that effort. Neither Flower Mound nor Highland Village has joined the coalition.
Nearly 1 in 5 new bookings at the Denton County Jail involve people charged with low-level, nonviolent offenses tied to untreated mental health conditions or housing instability, according to Denton Director of Community Services Jesse Kent.
United Way of Denton County President Gary Henderson said at the Aug. 7 Denton City Council meeting, when the council voted to join the coalition, that if the legislative push falls short the partners will regroup: "We have the strategic plan already in place. So, then, it just becomes a matter of finding the pathway to implementation."
That strategic plan is expected to be finalized in November and presented to the 90th Texas Legislature in January 2027 to seek construction funding.
How to participate
Commissioners Court meetings are held at 10 a.m. at the Denton County Administrative Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Drive, Denton. Residents can contact Judge Eads at 940-349-2820 or [email protected].
