Texas Border Business
Cameron County Commissioners’ Court voted Tuesday to adopt the County’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 budget, continuing the County’s commitment to maintaining essential services, investing in its workforce and strengthening infrastructure throughout Cameron County.
The adopted budget totals $265,252,780.55 and provides funding for the core functions and services delivered by Cameron County, including law enforcement, general county operations, roads and infrastructure, emergency management, public health and welfare, parks and beaches, and other essential county services.
Of the overall budget, approximately $148 million is allocated through the General Fund, which supports law enforcement, general administration and the routine operations of county government, health and welfare services, and operating transfers. The Special Road & Bridge Fund totals approximately $31.2 million in both budgeted revenues and expenditures, representing a 17.59% increase from the previous year’s budgeted amount of approximately $26.6 million. This work complements the coordinated efforts underway with the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority on a $4 billion system of planned transportation projects throughout Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley.
The FY 2026–2027 budget maintains the County’s property tax rate at $0.424393 per $100 of taxable value, the same rate adopted for the previous fiscal year. The rate remains below the no-new-revenue tax rate of $0.545920. While the tax rate remains unchanged, new growth in property values means the County’s budget is expected to generateapproximately $11.5 million more in property tax revenue than the previous year’s budget, an increase of approximately 8.36%.
Investing in Cameron County Employees
A major component of the FY 2026-2027 budget is the continued investment in Cameron County employees. Thebudget provides a 5% salary increase for all full-time county employees, marking the fourth consecutive year that the Commissioners’ Court has approved an across-the-board increase for County employees. In addition, Peace Officers, Detention Officers and Dispatchers will receive a 10% salary increase for the second consecutive year.
These investments are intended to strengthen recruitment and retention and ensure Cameron County remains competitive in attracting and retaining the workforce needed to provide essential public services.
Investing in Roads and Infrastructure
The budget provides continued resources for Cameron County’s extensive road and transportation system, including continued funding for the second road and pavement crew, which is responsible for maintaining and improving additional County roads. The additional crew allows the County to increase the number of road miles maintained each year and improve the efficiency of its road maintenance operations.
The Special Road & Bridge Fund’s approximately $31.2 million budget represents a 17.59% increase over the prior year’s budgeted amount, providing additional resources for the County’s road and infrastructure responsibilities. These investments build upon the County’s ongoing work to improve roads, maintain public infrastructure, and support the continued growth of communities through additional roadway improvements throughout Cameron County.
Building on Progress
The FY 2026-2027 budget builds upon investments Cameron County has made in recent years to strengthen the services residents rely on every day. From maintaining and improving the County’s vast road network to supporting law enforcement, emergency management, parks and beaches, the County continues to prioritize services that positively affect the quality of life of Cameron County residents.
“I want to ensure that we continue the ongoing projects we’ve been diligently working on these past several years, making sure they are maintained and well-funded while remaining fiscally responsible to the residents of Cameron County, despite inflation and the increasing cost of materials,” said County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. “Alongside that, we’re working to increase our fund balances, especially the General Fund and Road & Bridge Fund, to ensure the long-term financial viability of projects such as our continued investment in roadways and transportation corridors.”
The County’s transportation and bridge systems also continue to play an important role in the County’s financial stewardship. Investments and revenues associated with the County’s international bridge system (Veterans, Free Trade,and Gateway International Bridge Funds) help support County operations and have contributed to keeping the County’soverall property tax rate lower than it otherwise might have been. With the recent purchase of the Brownsville & Matamoros Bridge, which will soon be added to the County’s inventory, Cameron County will further strengthen its international bridge system. This investment will help alleviate the tax burden while simultaneously expanding cross-border entry points for commerce and leisure as well as strengthening coordination and relationships with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The FY 2026-2027 budget reflects Cameron County’s continued effort to balance responsible financial management with investments in the people, infrastructure, and services that keep the County moving forward, including the development of a countywide Economic Development Corporation coalition in partnership with cities throughout theCounty. This effort focuses on industry training to support the region’s growing economic sectors while maintainingcommunication and coordination with state and local leaders on regional growth. Additionally, the County continues to work alongside regional leaders and elected officials on healthcare, education initiatives, and larger regional water issues.
The 2026-2027 fiscal year will begin on October 1, 2026.
For the complete Cameron County FY 2026-2027 budget, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/CCTXBudget2026
Information source: Cameron County
