The Grayson County Commissioners will host a town hall meeting at First State Bank in Whitesboro on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. to discuss and answer questions about a recently-proposed city sales and use tax increase for unincorporated areas of the county. The tax will appear on voting ballots this November.
Currently, citizens within city limits pay sales and use tax which the city collects and uses for things like emergency services. In unincorporated areas of the county (areas typically outside the city limits that are governed by the county rather than the city), citizens do not pay a sales and use tax, so the county provides a stipend to municipalities for those areas.
“In 2025, Grayson County has spent $2.9 million on fire and EMS services for unincorporated areas of our county,” County Commissioner Lindsay Wright said. “In the coming year, we’re projecting $3.2 million for these services coming out of the general fund.”
With continued population growth, the Grayson County Commissioners began brainstorming ways to continue to provide emergency services to all areas of the county without breaking the bank. They have approved a proposal for a 1.5% sales tax ($1.50 per $100 spent) on purchases made only in unincorporated areas of Grayson County. These funds will directly support fire and EMS.
“The sales tax wouldn’t just affect citizens. Anyone who spends money in those unincorporated areas -- even visitors to Lake Texoma -- would be contributing,” Wright said. “Other counties have had great success with this. It seems to be the most immediate fix that would be best for all individuals.”
After a 3-1 vote by the commissioners, the proposal will now appear on the ballot this November. The city sales and use tax (which, to be clear, is NOT a property tax) would exclusively be for citizens in unincorporated areas, therefore those are the only citizens who can vote on this matter in November.
The funds generated from this tax would be prioritized first for fire/EMS services and any surplus would then be distributed to roads and bridges, then law enforcement and detention services.
For more information, including a Fact Sheet and details about the tax, visit www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/CountyAssistanceDistrict