BY JAMES T. NORMAN
What they’re saying
Looking ahead
The election is Nov. 7, and voters will see two separate measures for CCISD’s bond and one for the VATRE: • Proposition A: $17.4 million as part of a voter-approval tax rate election • Proposition B: $265 million for student safety, school infrastructure and priority repairs • Proposition C: $37 million for technology Voters will have the option to deny or approve all propositions, according to district documents. CCISD officials carried out a campaign in July and August to see the level of support the district might have if a bond were presented. Part of this included a phone survey, which saw higher support for the bond if voters were given context about why the bond was needed. The survey included 400 likely voters and context to allow for an “informed” decision. While support declined as the bond amount rose, a majority of those surveyed still supported each option.
“I am absolutely happy the message got through to the board that the folks in the community are concerned about overextending and that they heard us and put forth a more modest bond.” ALISON PUTMAN, FACILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER
“As long as we want to maintain these buildings, we have to provide the funding to do that. … The board is looking at what
we absolutely, absolutely have to have in November.” PAUL MILLER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SUPPORT SERVICES
The cost
For taxpayers, the bond won’t result in any change to 2023 tax bills but could affect 2024, CCISD Chief Communications Officer Elaina Polsen said. The district has two tax rates. One is tied to its debt, which totals about $1 billion, called the inter- est and sinking tax rate. That rate is expected to stay at $0.27 per $100 valuation of a home if the bond is approved, Polsen said.
However, if the bond fails, the board could keep the rate the same in 2024 and pay off remaining debt, or lower the rate, which could lower tax bills, Polsen said. Meanwhile, trustees also approved calling a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, in November, which would go to everyday operations.
Surveying bond options
Total cost to taxpayers
CCISD VATRE and bond options Bond approved VATRE rejected Bond rejected VATRE approved
Average 2023 tax bil
2024 tax rate for debt
$248M
$350M
$570M
would remain at $0.27 per $100 valuation of a home
$302M
$2,510
64% In favor
61% In favor
53% In favor
$17.4M
$2,590
could change, pending board action
would remain at $0.27 per $100 valuation of a home
SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: RESULTS HAVE 4.9% MARGIN OF ERROR
Both approved
$319.4M
$2,590
Both rejected
$0
$2,510
could change, pending board action
SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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