Bowie County Tax Rate ICE Increases by 7.25 Percent

Bowie County commissioners approved a higher property tax rate Monday morning during their regular meeting in New Boston, setting the new rate at $0.454702 per $100 of value — a 7.25% increase over last year. It is the maximum rate the court could adopt without sending the decision to voters.

For homeowners, the impact will be noticeable. The average Bowie County homestead will pay $1,022.56 in county taxes this year, an increase of $97.52 from 2025. That’s a 10.54% jump, larger than the rate increase itself because taxable home values also rose. The average homestead value increased 3.06%, reaching $224,885.

Texas limits how much a homestead’s taxable value can rise each year to 10%. Commercial and rental properties have a temporary 20% cap through the end of 2026, while properties valued above $5.32 million have no cap at all.

Countywide, the new rate is expected to generate $32.8 million, an increase of $3.3 million or 11.36% over last year. That growth outpaces the average homeowner’s bill because it includes new construction and business property added to the tax rolls.

County officials say rising costs in several mandated areas contributed to the increase. Spending on indigent health care rose to $434,456, up $203,605 from the previous year. Court‑appointed defense costs increased to $1.56 million, up $28,906. Together, those two items account for less than one‑tenth of the gap between the new rate and the county’s no‑new‑revenue rate.

Commissioners Approve 287(g) Agreement With ICE

Commissioners also considered and approved an agreement between the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the federal 287(g) program.

The agreement allows the county to receive stipends, quarterly incentive payments, and salary reimbursement for deputies who perform immigration‑related duties. Those duties may occur inside the jail or on a task force working directly with ICE agents. The agreement also covers cases involving unaccompanied migrant children assigned to the county by ICE.

The deal lasts up to three years, with either party able to cancel it with 60 days’ notice. Payment rates are listed on a separate federal form that was not included in the public meeting packet.

The agreement also requires the Sheriff’s Office to clear press statements about ICE detainees with ICE and to forward public records requests related to immigration matters to the federal agency.