Transportation
Education
BY HALEY MCLEOD
BY ELLE BENT
Austin ISD asks voters for tax increase to offset $119M deficit
Capital Metro halts electric bus plans An underestimation of the logistics in implementing an all-electric bus route has led Capital Metro officials to halt converting the entire fleet to battery-electric buses. In 2021, CapMetro officials approved a $255 million purchase of 197 electric buses. However, the change in plans is a result of shipping delays and infrastructure issues. The largest producer of electric buses, Proterra, went bankrupt, so supply chain problems have led to long wait times to receive a bus. Additionally, there is not enough opera- tional charging station infrastructure and the time it takes to charge puts a bus out of commission. Officials are evaluating alternatives, like hybrids of electric batteries and diesel or hydrogen fuel systems.
Safety improvements headed to downtown Improvements to a series of transit options along San Jacinto Boulevard and Trinity Street in downtown Austin began this month. More details Enhancements will improve cyclist and pedes- trian safety as well as support bus efficiency and operations, thanks to a joint effort between the city and Capital Metro. Plans for the two roadways, running from East Cesar Chavez Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, include: • Adding bus-only lanes at 10 existing routes along this stretch • Adding protected bicycle lanes • Improving pedestrian crossings • Maintaining parking and vehicle access or other vehicle traffic
E. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD.
Austin ISD officials are depending on voters’ approval of a tax rate increase in order to lessen a looming budget deficit of $119 million. At an Aug. 19 meeting, the AISD board of trustees voted 8-1, with board member Kevin Foster voting no, to place the issue on the November ballot. Foster cited that more money would be given to the state due to recapture—when the state takes local property tax dollars from a district to redistribute to other public school districts— and would do little to ease the deficit. Recapture payments would increase with a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, by an additional $130 million. Officials predict a VATRE would generate $41 million after recapture in revenue under a tax rate of $0.9505 per $100 valuation. This would be a $34-per-month increase to the average homeowner and is an 8.3% increase from the current tax rate of $0.8595 per $100 valuation. A VATRE would give way to adjust employee pay
Comparing tax rates How the average Austin ISD taxpayer will be affected by a potential tax increase:
FY 2023-24 CURRENT
$0.8595 per $100 valuation
35
$34 monthly increase
PROPOSED FY 2024-25
$0.9505 per $100 valuation
For the average $553,493 appraised home, the average homeowner would pay $4,310 in Austin ISD taxes. An estimated $821M would be taken by the state due to recapture.
For the average $553,493 appraised home, the average homeowner would pay $3,897 in Austin ISD taxes. An estimated $691M would be taken by the state due to recapture.
N
Operational enhancements for bus routes in the area will support the Project Connect MetroRapid line, which is expected to begin service in 2025, according to CapMetro. Drivers should expect intermittent lane closures while crews are working in the area. Improve- ments are anticipated for completion by the end of the year.
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
been in support of a pay increase through the VATRE. Additionally, four seats on the board of trustees are up for election in November.
to compare with other districts and a $0.25-per- hour increase for hourly employees. Without the VATRE, the district won’t offer the pay increases. The district’s labor union Education Austin has
HIGHLAND 5775 Airport Blvd (512) 366-8300 ARBORETUM 10515 North Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893
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