North - Northwest Austin Edition | June 2023

EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from local schools

BY BROOKE SJOBERG First tax rate election in district history on horizon

New IDEA Public Schools partnership expands scholarships

IMPACT TO HOMEOWNERS Round Rock ISD officials could include a voter approved tax rate election, or VATRE, in a November election that could result in property owners paying 3% more in taxes. For the average homeowner who saw a 10% value increase from $350,000 to $385,000 in 2023, taxes would go up $116 if the VATRE is passed.

ROUND ROCK ISD Voters who live in Round Rock ISD’s bound- aries may be asked for the first time to approve a tax rate revenue increase in a voter-approved tax rate election, or VATRE. During a May 18 meeting, the RRISD board of trustees discussed the district-staff-proposed VATRE, which could result in property owners paying 3% more in taxes for fiscal year 2023-24. Maritza Gallaga, RRISD’s interim chief of public affairs and commu- nications, said the district has no record of a prior tax rate election, which is the mechanism by which Texas school districts can levy a higher tax rate to generate more property tax revenue. The tax rate election would be a balm to the district’s ongoing prob- lem of funding, as its recapture payments have ballooned the $14.9 million budgeted toward payment for the 2021-22 school year to

BY BROOKE MILLER

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS A partnership agreement with Western Governors University and IDEA Public Schools will provide students, staff and alumni the opportunity to pursue multiple paths to higher education and professional development, according to a news release. The context: IDEA Public Schools is a charter school system with a location in Northwest Austin. WGU is an online university with a satellite loca- tion in Austin specializing in low-cost education and flexible degree plans. The overview: The partnership creates a new scholarship opportunity for IDEA students, staff and alumni. They are now eligible to receive a $2,500 scholarship from WGU to pursue higher education opportunities.

2022-23 taxes

2023-24 rate no VATRE

2023-24 rate with VATRE $1.0064

$1.0626 $0.9764

Tax rate

$3,719

$3,759

$3,875

Taxes due

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

more than $85 million for 2022-23, according to the district. Without the VATRE tax rate, RRISD Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said during the May meeting that the district will have to make difficult decisions about staffing, class sizes, electives avail- able to students, and athletic and fine arts programs, among others.

million more dollars.” The district levied a tax rate of $1.0626 for its 2022-23 fiscal year, and should the VATRE pass, will levy a tax rate of $1.0064. While it is technically a lower rate, it is expected to generate more revenue for the district as property values within its boundaries rise. Officials have not yet ordered a VATRE, but the first step was the passage of the district budget on June 20, RRISD Chief Financial Officer Dennis Covington said.

“As you know, 80% of our budget is in people,” Azaiez

said. “We’re really talking about eliminating positions. We need $12

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE Mobility Authority

Navigating the tolling landscape can be complicated. We’re the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, and we’re here to help you understand important pieces of the tolling puzzle, like what we do and how your toll bill works.

The Mobility Authority is not the only toll operator

Late payment fees do apply

Drivers without electronic tags will receive a Mobility Authority Pay By Mail (PBM) bill. For electronic tag holders, bills generated and mailed by the Mobility Authority are the result of declined responses after multiple attempts to post tolls to a customer’s electronic tag account. To avoid receiving a PBM bill, be sure to check with your electronic tag provider to make sure all of your account details are up to date.

The Mobility Authority is not TxTag

We accept a variety of electronic tags

!

There’s a reason you might get a bill in the mail even if you have an electronic tag

There are payment options everywhere

Keep your electronic tag account in good standing

We use your address on file with the Texas DMV for bills

Tag Account:

Learn what to do when you sell your car

Using the Pay By Mail program costs you more

WE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP

To learn more fast facts about paying your Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority toll bill, visit us at MobilityAuthority.com/Tolling101.

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