City Budget & Financial Transparency

The City of De Kalb is dedicated to the stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We operate under strict fiscal policies, maintaining a balanced budget, funding essential municipal services, and complying with the Texas Comptroller’s transparency standards.

Texas “Truth in Taxation”

Under the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act (SB 2), property owners have the right to know how their tax rates are calculated. The City Council must hold public hearings before adopting any tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval rate. Visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes to find a link to your local property tax database.

Adopted Budgets

View the comprehensive annual municipal budgets, detailing operational expenditures for police, public works, and administration.

Download FY 2026 Budget (PDF)

Financial Audits

By law, the city undergoes an annual independent financial audit to ensure accounting practices meet state compliance standards.

Download 2025 Audit Report (PDF)

Understanding Your Local Tax Bill

Property taxes in Texas are complex. When you pay your annual property tax bill to the Bowie County Tax Assessor-Collector, the City of De Kalb does not keep all of that money. Your bill is distributed among several independent taxing entities:

  • De Kalb Independent School District (ISD): Typically accounts for the largest portion of your tax bill (often over 50%). These funds pay for public school infrastructure, teacher salaries, and state recapture.
  • Bowie County: Pays for regional infrastructure, the Sheriff’s Office, county courts, and the county jail.
  • City of De Kalb: Only a fraction of your total bill goes to the city. This specific portion funds local police, street maintenance, municipal parks, and the volunteer fire department.
  • Other Entities: Depending on your exact location, small percentages may go to a local college district or hospital district.

Note: The City of De Kalb does not assess property values. If you believe your home is overvalued, you must file a formal protest with the Bowie Central Appraisal District (BCAD).

Property Tax Distribution Calculator

Enter the taxable assessed value of your property (after homestead exemptions) to see an estimate of your annual property tax bill and exactly how those funds are distributed among local entities.

*Disclaimer: This calculator uses illustrative 2026 combined tax rates (Total: ~$2.15 per $100 valuation) for educational purposes only. Actual rates vary based on exact address boundaries, MUD districts, and applied exemptions. Always refer to your official Bowie County tax statement.

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