AUSTIN — Don Huffines has officially taken over as Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, assuming leadership of the state agency responsible for collecting taxes, managing state funds and overseeing several major financial programs.
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Huffines to the position following the departure of Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, who resigned effective at the end of July. Hancock had led the office after former Comptroller Glenn Hegar left in 2025 to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Huffines was sworn in Aug. 1 and will serve through the remainder of the current term. (Texas.gov)
Huffines is also the Republican nominee for comptroller in the Nov. 3 general election. He will face Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt for a full four-year term. (The Texas Tribune)
During his swearing-in, Huffines announced that he would not accept a state salary. He said his priorities include reducing wasteful spending, protecting taxpayer dollars, increasing government transparency and delivering meaningful property tax relief.
Huffines also called on Texas cities and counties to consider using growing sales tax revenues to help reduce property tax burdens.
“Cities and counties across Texas are seeing strong sales tax collections and growing revenues,” Huffines said. “As they prepare their budgets, they should look for every opportunity to return those dollars to taxpayers through lower property taxes.”
He added that local governments are in a unique position to provide tax relief and said the comptroller’s office should closely examine local spending to ensure taxpayers receive accountability for how public money is used. (Texas Comptroller)
Brownfield and Terry County report strong August payments
The latest local sales tax allocation figures show sizable gains for both the City of Brownfield and Terry County.
Brownfield received a net payment of $184,126.98 for the current period, up from $138,215.12 during the comparable period last year. That represents an increase of 33.21 percent, or approximately $45,911.86.
Brownfield’s year-to-date payments reached $1,270,371.21, compared with $1,236,217.86 at the same point last year. That is an increase of 2.76 percent, or about $34,153.35.
Terry County also experienced significant growth. The county received $86,253.34 for the current period, compared with $58,156.99 last year. That marks a 48.31 percent increase, equal to approximately $28,096.35.
The county’s year-to-date payment totaled $598,873.46, up from $490,370.03 last year. That is a 22.12 percent increase, or about $108,503.43.
Those increases could strengthen the conversation surrounding upcoming local budgets, particularly as officials weigh operating costs, infrastructure needs and property tax rates.
Mixed results for Meadow and Wellman
Sales tax payments were more mixed in Terry County’s smaller communities.
The City of Meadow received $1,367.80 for the current period, down from $1,895.17 last year. That represents a decline of 27.82 percent, or approximately $527.37.
However, Meadow remains ahead for the year. Year-to-date payments totaled $12,566.81, compared with $11,992.65 last year, an increase of 4.78 percent, or approximately $574.16.
Wellman received $1,069.94 for the current period, compared with $1,399.25 last year. That is a decrease of 23.53 percent, or about $329.31.
Wellman’s year-to-date payments totaled $8,312.19, down from $13,180.74 last year. That represents a decline of 36.93 percent, or approximately $4,868.55.
Huffines highlights demand for education savings accounts
Just two days after taking office, Huffines also released the first annual participation report for the Texas Education Freedom Account program.
According to the comptroller’s office, more than 85,000 students have confirmed participation for the 2026-27 school year. The office described the program as the third-largest education savings account program in the country and the largest first-year launch of its kind.
The report states that nearly one in four participating students has a documented disability. It also reports that approximately four out of five participants come from households earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which the comptroller’s office identifies as about $66,000 annually for a family of four.
More than 120,000 eligible applicants remain on a waiting list for additional funding, according to the report. (Texas Comptroller)
Huffines said the participation numbers demonstrate strong demand among Texas families for additional educational options.
“No Texas child should be trapped in a failing school or forced to attend a school that is unable to provide the services they need,” Huffines said.
Local budget discussions ahead
Huffines begins his tenure at a time when cities, counties and school districts across Texas are preparing budgets and setting tax rates for the coming fiscal year.
The sharp increases reported by Brownfield and Terry County provide encouraging signs regarding local economic activity. However, officials will still have to determine whether the higher revenues represent a continuing trend or a temporary increase.
Huffines’ message is clear: when local revenues grow, government leaders should examine whether some of that growth can be used to provide relief to property owners while continuing to fund essential services.
For Brownfield and Terry County residents, that debate will likely become increasingly important as local taxing entities finalize their upcoming budgets.
