Bland ISD voters will have a decision to make Nov. 3 on the district’s maintenance and operations tax rate.
The voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, would allow the district to bring in about $600,000 more each year, according to Bland ISD. About $270,000 would come from additional local property tax collections, with the remaining $330,000 coming from additional state funding.
The proposal would increase the district’s maintenance and operations, or M&O, tax rate by 3 cents. Bland ISD said 1.5 cents would restore part of the tax rate that was compressed by the state, while another 1.5 cents would be added.
The district currently expects to use about $400,000 of the additional revenue for employee compensation. The rest would help cover other ongoing operating costs, including higher expenses tied to inflation.
For a home valued at $100,000, the district estimates the additional M&O taxes would be about $53.40 more than last year.
The ballot asks voters to approve an overall tax rate of $0.91090 per $100 of taxable property value.
That rate includes $0.68190 for M&O and $0.22900 for interest and sinking, or I&S.
M&O pays for the district’s day-to-day expenses, such as employee salaries, instructional materials, utilities, transportation and maintenance.
I&S is different. It is used to pay principal and interest on voter-approved
school bonds, such as bonds used to build or renovate school facilities.
The VATRE would not increase the I&S rate and would not authorize any new bonds.
The ballot language says the proposed rate would result in an 8.49% increase in M&O tax revenue compared with the previous year, or an additional $268,919 in local revenue.
The difference between that figure and the district’s approximately $600,000 estimate reflects the additional state funding the district expects to receive if the measure passes.
Under Texas law, school districts must hold a voter-approval tax rate election when their adopted tax rate exceeds the voter-approval rate allowed under state law.
In its election order, the Bland ISD Board of Trustees said approving the rate would increase school funding under current state funding formulas and help support the district’s educational mission.
The district has said the additional money would help with employee compensation and other ongoing operating expenses.
The ballot will include the required wording “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE.” Voters will choose either “For” or “Against” the proposition.
Bland ISD will hold a VATRE Information and Bond Update Meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Elementary/Middle School cafeteria. The district said more information about the proposal is available at blandisd.us.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Qualified voters living within the Bland ISD boundaries will be eligible to vote.
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