By TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON
Special to the PRESS
“I have listened to our residents, and the message is clear—property taxes remain the most pressing concern for families across Cameron County,” said Judge Eddie Treviño Jr., setting the tone for this year’s budget talks.
As the Cameron County Commissioners’ Court begins its annual three-month budget session, Treviño is
prioritizing a third consecutive property tax cut, continued wage increases for county employees, strengthened support for law enforcement, and long-term infrastructure investment.
The county’s current property tax rate of .426893 per $100 valuation is already the lowest in both Cameron and Hidalgo counties—nearly 15 cents below Hidalgo County’s rate of .57500. Still, Treviño said there is room for further relief.
“We’ve successfully reduced the tax rate each of the past two years, and this year, I will advocate for a third
consecutive tax reduction—an unprecedented step in recent history,” he said.
While lowering the tax burden remains at the forefront, Treviño is equally focused on retaining county staff
through competitive pay. Over the past two years, all county employees have received at least a 5% salary increase.
Detention Officers received a 10% boost in the first year. This year, Treviño said he plans to push for another
across-the-board raise.
“For the past eight and a half years, I’ve had the honor of serving as County Judge, and throughout that time,
employee compensation has been one of my top priorities,” he said. “Our workforce of 1,700 employees is the backbone of county operations, and while we’ve made significant strides in salary improvements, there is still more to be done. This year, I am committed to securing a third consecutive salary increase for our hardworking staff.”
That effort includes law enforcement. Salaries for Deputies, Detention Officers and Assistant District Attorneys have improved in recent years, but Treviño said the county must stay competitive.
“As law enforcement salaries continue rising across the state, we recognize the need to ensure competitive wages for our Deputies, Detention Officers and Assistant District Attorneys,” he said. “While we have made meaningful improvements in compensation, additional investment is required. I will work closely with the Commissioners’ Court to implement the most significant salary increases yet for our law enforcement personnel.”
Infrastructure also figures into this year’s budget goals. Cameron County recently secured a $13 million grant from the Texas Water Development Board for a watershed study that will identify drainage solutions throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
“Finding solutions to our drainage challenges is imperative, and I will continue advocating for future funding at the federal, state and local levels,” Treviño said.
Ongoing road repairs and street maintenance will also remain a budgeted priority, with each county-maintained roadway evaluated annually. Budget meetings began July 1 and will continue through the end of September. Departmental budgets and the county’s official tax rate will be finalized during that time.
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