EDUCATION BRIEFS Dripping Springs ISDpasses slightly lower tax rate
COMPLIED BY DARCY SPRAGUE
QUOTEOFNOTE “WE SAWNO DOLLARS.” AUSTIN ISD SUPERINTENDENT STEPHANIE ELIZALDE, DISCUSSING THE FIRST WAVE OF FEDERAL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS
DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD Trustees voted Sept. 27 to set the district’s 2021-22 tax rate at $1.3103 per $100 valuation, which is lower than last year’s rate of $1.3332 per $100 valuation. Most homeowners will see an increase in their tax bills due to rapidly rising property values, which was a concern discussed at the meeting. The new tax rate consists of a maintenance and operations rate of $0.9603 and an interest and sinking fund rate of $0.35. The M&O rate represents a decrease from $0.9832. That decrease stems from a Texas legislative change,
House Bill 3, which passed in 2019, aimed to help homeowners facing growing taxes. The bill requires schools to reduce their M&O rates as property values increase to offset some of the cost passed to homeowners. Trustee Stefani Reinold argued that the board should lower the rate to help homeowners, many of whom have reached out to the district to express concern over rising tax bills. However, other trustees thought the rate was needed to maintain the district as it tries to keep up with Hays County’s growing population.
The tax rate decreased, but many homeowners will pay more because home values increased. What does a new tax ratemean?
2021-22 tax rate
$.013103 assessed
As home values increase, many taxpayers will pay more, even if school districts lower the tax rate.
home value tax bill
X
The average homeowner will pay about 11%more in taxes.
SOURCE: DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
ACC SAVES HERITAGE TREE
On Sept. 22, Austin Community College relocated a three-story, 45-year-old live oak as part of the ongoing project to develop the Highland campus. The tree was at 523 E. Highland Mall Blvd., an area slated to become a parking garage for the college. The roughly 90,000-pound tree and root ball was moved to a 2.5- acre park on campus. Austin ISD Meets Oct. 28 and Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. www.austinisd.org Dripping Springs ISD voting meetings: Oct. 25 and Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. www.dsisdtx.us Meetings are being held virtually and in person. MEETINGSWE COVER
AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Trustees on Sept. 14 voted to lower Austin Community College’s prop- erty tax rate for fiscal year 2021-22. The approved tax rate of $0.1048 per $100 of valuation includes $0.09 for maintenance and opera- tions and $0.0148 for debt service. The rate is $0.001 less than the fiscal year 2020-21 rate of $0.1058. According to ACC’s website, about 60% of its budget comes from property tax revenue. The rest of the budget comes from student tuition and state funding. The plan leaves tuition and fees at $67 per credit hour for in-district students. Board adopts new tax rate for budget
University of Texas continues to accept top6%of students UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS On Sept. 14, University of Texas President Jay Hartzell announced in a letter to the Texas Education Agency that the university would not change the threshold for automatic enrollment during the summer 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters. The cap is set at freshman applicants who rank within the top 6% of their high school graduating classes. UT moved from the 7% threshold of qualified students to the 6% in 2018.
TAX REVENUE Austin Community College lowered its total property tax rate to pre- pandemic levels. Though the rate itself is lower, the district projects a 10% increase in tax revenue this upcoming fiscal year.
MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS TAX REVENUE
DEBT SERVICE TAX REVENUE
$250M $200M $150M $100M $50M 0
FY 2022 FY 2021 FY 2020
SOURCE: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION • OCTOBER 2021
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