Victoria County receives high financial rating

Published 6:15 am Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Standard & Poor Global Ratings (S&P), a nationally recognized credit rating agency, released its most recent financial rating for Victoria County. The county received an “AA” rating, the highest possible for a community and tax base of Victoria’s size.

The S&P rating evaluates the fiscal health of the county and management of finances by local officials. Victoria County boasts a solid financial performance developed through healthy fund reserves, a stable economy and a manageable debt profile, according to the S&P report.

The high rating from S&P affirms the effectiveness of the county’s conservative approach to financial management and policy implementation, Ben Zeller, Victoria County judge and chief budget officer, said.

“We’re very proud of this big accomplishment,” Zeller said. “An AA credit rating isn’t something that S&P just hands out to anyone. This was part of a very rigorous evaluation of our budget management, and it’s a stamp of approval that Victoria county is well managed.”

Victoria County’s ad valorem tax rate levy, 29 cents per $100 of assessed value (AV), is significantly lower than the maximum allowed in Texas, 80 cents per $100 of AV, according to the report. S&P expects AV to continue to grow as a result of residential and commercial development.

“The rating underscores the county’s budgeting and financial management,” Zeller said. “When we talk about being careful with the budget, it’s not just words, it’s something we do day after day and year after year.”

Victoria County has a history of high financial performance and maintains a healthy fund reserve, according to the report. The “AA” rating reaffirmed the financial success of the fiscal year 2025 certificates of obligations (COs) and helped Victoria County secure a low interest rate for the fiscal year 2026 COs.

Victoria County commissioners’ work to ensure the county fund balance has enough to cover any unforeseen emergency events without an increase in taxes. While the county has successfully managed its finances through conservative budgeting, formal investment and debt
management, formal long-term and capital planning is lacking, according to the report.

“We plan for tomorrow, not just today,” Zeller said. “We factor in our taxpayers with each decision that we make, so we’re very careful with new spending. We’re able to take advantage of opportunities that come our way, and the opportunity to increase services when we can.”

The county’s debt burden is relatively low, according to the report. The commissioners’ court approaches debt leveraging in a conservative manner. S&P does not expect Victoria County’s debt profile to weaken over the next two years.

“This is another assurance and another confirmation that Victoria County is well managed and is on sound financial footing,” Zeller said. “Due to our careful planning and financial management, we’ve been able to get a lot done in very challenging times. It is especially meaningful to be able to serve our residents in that way.”

Michael Milliorn is a multi-media journalist with the Victoria Advocate. He can be reached at [email protected].

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