Tarrant’s Democratic commissioners break quorum over ‘destructive’ tax rate
Tarrant County commissioners were unable to pass a tax rate on Tuesday due to the absence of the two Democrats on the court, who said the proposed rate cut goes too far.
Roderick Miles, of Fort Worth, and Alisa Simmons, of Arlington, were intentionally absent from the meeting. State law requires at least four commissioners present to levy taxes.
In response, County Judge Tim O’Hare, a Southlake Republican, made targeted cuts to the Democrats’ budgets.
On a 3-2 vote Sept. 3, the commissioners gave initial approval to a rate of 18.62 cents, lower than the so-called “no new revenue” rate of 18.66 cents. That is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of revenue in 2026 from properties that were on the rolls in 2025.
If the Commissioners Court fails to approve a tax rate by Oct. 1, the no new revenue tax rate of 18.66 cents will automatically be put in place.
A member of Miles’s staff passed out a statement about the proposed tax rate while the Republicans conferred with the county attorney. Miles said the court is neglecting its obligations to the community.
Miles said the proposed rate fails to reflect the “urgent and growing needs” of the community.
“We are called to provide safe streets, strong public health, and the infrastructure that sustains daily life,” he said. “To ignore these responsibilities for the sake of political convenience is to shortchange not just today’s residents but generations to come.”
Simmons, who was posting on her official X account, said in a statement that her absence is a legal and necessary act of conscience.
“For taxpayers, today’s outcome ensures property owners still receive a tax cut without the county judge forcing an even deeper, more destructive rate,” Simmons said.
With the proposed tax rate of 18.62 cents, the owner of a single family home at the average value of $358,000 would pay $533.28 in county taxes, which is $3.72 less than last year’s bill for a home of the same value. If the no new revenue rate of 18.66 cents is imposed, the same homeowner would pay $1.15 more.
According to local government code, three commissioners constitute a quorum in all cases except when changing the tax rate.
Commissioner Matt Krause, a Republican from Keller and former state representative, said lawmakers likely weren’t intending to make it harder to lower taxes when they established the supermajority requirement.
“I think the intention behind that legislation was so you couldn’t just continually raise taxes on the taxpayers with a bare majority, so you needed at least four people there,” Krause said. “I’m not sure the Legislature ever contemplated people not showing up to reduce taxes on the taxpayers, which is kind of incredible to me.”
Commissioner Manny Ramirez, a Fort Worth Republican, said he’s glad to see the “fiscally responsible” budget, which is based on a tax rate of 18.62 cents, still being approved.
O’Hare’s response
In the budget discussion, O’Hare proposed an amendment with three changes to the budget: reducing the number of administrative positions to one per commissioner; reducing the Precinct 1 and 2 travel budget to $1,000; and eliminating the additional 20 road and bridge crew positions for Precinct 2 with no positions transferred from Precinct 1.
Miles, representing Precinct 1, had $2,000 appropriated for travel. Simmons, in the Precinct 2 seat, had $5,000 appropriated.
When Ramirez pointed out that some of the road and bridge crew changes were necessary, O’Hare said he would be the first to suggest amending the budget when the Democrats are present and vote on the proposed tax rate.
O’Hare said he will schedule a special called meeting for Monday, Sept. 22. A spokesperson for Miles said the commissioner will consider attending.
The $824 million budget is $21 million less last year’s and includes over $9 million for salaries. Many of the county elected officials and county staff are getting a 3% increase in pay.
Law enforcement will get pay increases of 3%, 4% or 7% depending on their role. The budget also raises the starting salary for a new sheriff’s deputy to $79,800, which is the highest starting salary for sheriff’s deputies in Texas.
The budget eliminates 67 positions, including 24 in Human Services. That department, which provided temporary financial assistance, was cut in August. The responsibilities will be outsourced and will save the county an estimated $1.8 million.
Helen Giese, Tarrant County budget and risk management director, said at a budget town hall that residents should not feel any impacts from the budget cuts as services were not affected.
This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM.