When Ray Kroll took the economic development job in Karnes County a few years ago, the property value of the entire county was around $500 million. Now, thanks to the Eagle Ford shale play, the property tax rolls have jumped
to $1.3 billion. “To think that you would use the b-word in conjunction with Karnes County is just crazy,” Kroll said. “We’re talking in billions and not millions.”
South central Texas counties are undergoing a fundamental change in their economies and in their infastructure use as a result in the oil and gas boom. Counties suddenly have a lot more money, traffic and demands for housing and other support systems.
This will ultimately impact the county courthouse and other county buildings such as jails and maintenance facilities.