TAX RATIFICATION ELECTIONS DO’S AND DON’TS
HUTTO ISD’S EXPERIENCE
TRE - DEFINITION
Texas law requires school districts to calculate two tax rates -- the effective tax rate and the rollback tax rate -- after the district receives the certified appraisal rolls or certified property value estimates from the certified appraiser. Generally, if a school board adopts a tax rate above its rollback tax rate, it must hold an election to ratify that rate. If a majority of the votes cast in the election favor the proposition, the tax rate for the current year is the rate adopted by the board. If the proposition is not approved, then the board may not adopt a tax rate for the current year that exceeds the rollback rate.
DO’S Factually promote district
accomplishments Factually promote FIRST distinctions,
credit ratings Give background info on state funding
(How did we get here) HB 1 froze school district revenues at the 05-
06 level w/no inflationary factors 09 Legislature provided minimal relief giving
districts an extra $120 per student but required mandated raises
11 Legislative session cut education funding Give factual information on state funding
cut impact to your district
DO’S Communication Plan
Community Budget Forums Superintendent Coffee and Donuts Presentations to social organizations – Lions
Club, Rotary Presentations to Booster Clubs, PTO’s, etc Website Info/Facebook/Emails Prepare articles, press releases, columns,
etc.
DO’S
What will your additional pennies raise-State/Local
Share this info!Addtl Pennies State Local Total Addtl Revenue.01 = $206,313 $139,687 $346,000.02 =$293,626 $279,374 $573,000.03 = $321,939 $419,061 $741,000.04 = $347,252 $558,748 $906,000.05 = $371,565 $698,435 $1,070,000.06 = $391,878 $838,122 $1,230,000
DO’S
Inform voters of tax impact on average home values
Taxable Home Value$100,000$110,000$120,000$130,000$140,000$150,000$160,000$175,000$195,000 $9.75 $117.00
$72.00$78.00$84.00$90.00$96.00$105.00
$6.00$6.50$7.00$7.50$8.00$8.75
.06 Cent Tax Increase on Average HISD HomeMonthly Increase Yearly Increase
$5.00 $60.00$5.50 $66.00
WHAT HAVE WE DONE?Thinking “Outside the Box”
Revenue Generation Measures• School Bus Advertising
• School Bus Chartering (Non-profits only)
• Trademarking of Mascot
• Extra-Curricular activity fees
• Tuition Based Pre-K Program (save positions)
• Online School Store
• Land for Sale
• Buildings for Lease
• VHES building leased to Temple College/TSTC
• NEW REVENUES: $217,000
WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
Educating More with LessEducating with
07-08 $$:
07-08 Enrollment: 4,350 $ spent per student: $6,99807-08 Budget: $30,442,177
11-12 Enrollment: 5,653 $ spent per student: $6,52711-12 Budget: $36,898,121
11-12 Budget using 07-08 $ spent per student: $39,559,694
1,303additional students
with$2,661,573 fewer dollars since 07-08. Does not include
inflation adjustments.
DO’S Discuss importance of Fund Balance and
why needed Credit Rating, cover unexpected costs,
financial stability, etc
DO’S
Explain the two school district tax rates: M&O – Salaries, utilities, supplies,
equipment etc I&S – Capital improvements, Land,
Buses, Schools
DO’S
Discuss what happens if TRE fails Only give factual information EXAMPLES – Larger class sizes, impacts future
raises, reduce art/music at elementary level, implement extracurricular fees, implement bus transportation fee, no travel for band/cheer to away games, eliminate instructional fieldtrips, etc.
You are not alone: 1.17 = 253 Districts +1.04 = 52 Districts 1.04 = 625 Districts Hutto’s experience
TRE TIMELINE- 30-90 DAYS AFTER TAX RATE ADOPTED
EARLY TAX RATE ADOPTION (Not in Nov) Appraisal Districts are required to prepare and
certify an ESTIMATE of taxable property by April 30th
Upon receipt of estimated values, school district may adopt a tax rate BEFORE the budget & receipt of certified appraisal roll (July 25th)
If Districts use this method, effective and rollback tax rate calculations shall be based on the certified ESTIMATE of taxable property values.
District must publish NOTICE and hold a public meeting to discus proposed tax rate. Following adoption of tax rate, district must publish a 2nd Notice and hold another public meeting before the district may adopt a budget.
EARLY TAX RATE ADOPTION (CONTINUED) Districts authorized to order a TRE with as few as
30 days notice, after adoption of tax rate. Notice of TRE must be provided to county clerk of each county no later than the 30th day before the rollback election day. All other election requirements and deadlines the same as traditional TRE.
TIMEFRAME April 30th – Deadline for district to receive certified
estimate of tax rolls from CAD Publication of notice to discuss proposed tax rate:
Not EARLIER than 30 days or LATER than 10 days prior to rate adoption
Rollback Election: 30-90 days after date of adoption
TRE TIMELINE – TRADITIONAL For Election held in Nov (uniform election date), election
must be ordered at least 62 days prior to election day. July 25th – Deadline for Chief Appraiser to certify appraisal
rolls to school districts Publication: Publish Notice not earlier than 30 days or later
than 10 days prior to rate adoption. Can ADOPT a tax rate as early as August 4th if publish by
July 26th Rollback Election: 30-90 days after date of adoption. Adopting a tax rate after Aug 7 will put Nov 6 in the 30-90
day window, requiring a district to hold its TRE on Nov 6, 2012
If a district adopts a tax rate using certified rolls, a TRE must be ordered at least 62 days before it is held.
CONSULT AN ATTORNEY REGARDING TIMELINES
DON’TS
Campaign for your TRE – FACTS ONLY!! Assume there is no opposition
Voter Apathy Tea Party Movement – (Government
spending, no new taxes) Outside Groups
Assume your TRE will pass Be afraid to get all factual information
to voters – “What happens if TRE Fails” PAC – Needed or Not
DON’TS
Uniform Election Date – Nov (Big Gamble)
Let community forget information – Spring – Election day. COMMUNICATION TIMELINE IMPORTANT
Ignore rumors and perceptions Forget local legislators
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?
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