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First National Bank BuildingFirst National Bank Building · Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Stephenville

How is Stephenville run?

Stephenville’s city government spent $18.2 million on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2022, about $841 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1.5 million) are counted separately.

Next public meeting

City Council

6:00 pm

All meetings →
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$18.2M
year to September 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$841
In 2022: $841, less than 65% of 68 similar cities
Long-term debt
$39.2M
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
175
full-time · 48 part-time · March payroll $990,311 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$3,211
1.33% of home value · TX 1.49%

What stands out about how Stephenville is run

Read from the city’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Its own police and fire38 sworn officers and 18 full-time firefighters on the payroll.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $3,211 a year: 1.33% of the home’s value, vs 1.49% across Texas.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Stephenville’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

  • Nov3
    City CouncilTuesday · 5:30 pm · City Hall Council Chambers, 298 W WashingtonCity Council MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct29
    Advisory BoardsThursday · 12:00 pm · Stephenville Clark Regional Airport, 1050 Airport RoadAirport Advisory Board MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct27
    GeneralTuesday · 5:30 pm · City Hall Training Room (Use Columbia St. Entrance), 298 W Washington StreetCity Council Development Services Committee WorkshopAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct26
    Advisory BoardsMonday · 4:30 pm · City Hall, Training Room, 298 W Washington St.CANCELED: Tourism and Visitors Bureau Advisory BoardAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct21
    Planning and Zoning CommissionWednesday · 5:30 pm · City Hall Council Chambers, 298 W WashingtonPlanning and Zoning Commission AgendaAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2022 budget

About $841 per resident a year, or $2.30 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 28%.

Where the money comes from
Sales taxes 27%Fees & charges 20%Property taxes 19%From the federal government 16%Utility sales 15%Interest, fines & other 1%Other taxes & licenses 1%From other local governments 1%From the state <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $2.7 million; interest on debt $868,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $23.3 million.
Compared with similar places

$841 per resident in 2022, close to the middle of similar cities

Stephenville’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($841 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 68 Texas cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $986, and the middle half spent $726–$1,301. Stephenville spent less than 65% of them.

Middle half of the group, $726–$1,301Median $986Stephenville

Includes sewer and trash ($1.8 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
68

Texas cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Stephenville itself left out).

Over the years

No trend yet

Stephenville reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $3,211 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.33% of the home’s value, vs 1.49% across Texas.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Texas$4,232
Stephenville$3,211
$3,211
typical bill a year
1.33%
effective rate
$241,300
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Stephenville’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.

Tax bills are one input to Stephenville’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Stephenville →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Stephenville

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Stephenville’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Stephenville yet.
Who works for Stephenville

One full-time city employee for every 124 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (21,687).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Police60 + 1 pt
Parks & libraries15 + 42 pt
Fire35
Administration & buildings29 + 1 pt
Water & other utilities12
Roads & transportation8
Sewer & trash8
Courts, inspections & corrections1
Health & welfare1
Other6 + 4 pt
175
full-time
48
part-time
$990,311
payroll for March 2022
$11.9M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$66,100
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
38
sworn police officers
18
full-time firefighters
Estimates.Stephenville didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Stephenville Independent School District

Stephenville’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Stephenville →
$11,193
per pupil · TX $12,815
3,678
students
$105.4 million
long-term debt

Of the $11,193 per pupil, $6,812 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 56%State 35%Federal 9%

Texas districts overall: 51% local, 36% state, 13% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Stephenville’s votes are counted by county

Texas reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Stephenville alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Erath County’s results.

President · Erath County’s results18,400 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican83.4%15,349 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat15.6%2,871 votes

Others: 1.0% (180 votes).

Most votes in Erath County: Donald J Trump

Texas: Trump 56.1%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

100% of Stephenville lies in Erath County. Every 2024 race in Erath County is on the county’s page.

Erath County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Stephenville

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Stephenville.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Texas HouseState representatives
    Shelby Slawson
  3. 3
    Texas SenateState senator
    District 22
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Greg Abbott
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Roger Williams
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Texas
    John CornynTed Cruz

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Stephenville’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Stephenville’s government

How much does Stephenville spend per resident?

About $841 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $841 was less than 65% of 68 Texas cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Stephenville?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,211 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.33% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.49% across Texas. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Stephenville’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Stephenville yet.

How did Stephenville vote in 2024?

Texas counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Stephenville alone. Erath County, where 100% of Stephenville lies, voted Trump 83.4%, Harris 15.6% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Stephenville?

175 full-time and 48 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $990,311 (about $11.9M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Stephenville in the state legislature?

State Senate District 22 and State House District 59 (Shelby Slawson). The House district also covers 15 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in Stephenville?

The next posted meeting is City Council on Tuesday, November 10, at 6:00 pm, from the city’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Stephenville’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →