Wharton County Judge Phillip Spenrath has proposed a balanced $39.45 million budget for ’26, with a slightly lower property tax rate of 34.517 cents per $100 value. The plan includes a 3% cost-of-living raise for county workers, more road maintenance funding, and new vehicles for law enforcement. Disagreements remain over how to divide $2 million for road projects between east and west precincts. Spenrath warned property taxes may rise in the future to fund a new jail. A public hearing is set for Sept. 8 before final approval.