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Tarkington ISD proposes tax increase
By ALEX WUKMAN
The Tarkington ISD board voted to send a proposed eight cent property tax increase to the voters. If passed the increase will raise the rate Tarkington residents pay from $1.04 to $1.12 per $100,000 of property.
“There are two big reasons why we need the increase,” said Tarkington ISD Superintendent John Kirchner, “energy costs and pay raises.” Kirchner explained that rising costs have more than doubled the districts fuel budget.
“We’ve seen an increase of $63,000,” he said. Kirchner stated that while the current fuel budget has risen to $130,000 the district expects it to go up. When asked what the district is budgeting for next year’s fuel Kirchner replied “$200,000.”
He explained that that number is for gasoline and diesel. Kirchner also said that even though rising fuel costs are hurting the district they haven’t “had to cancel anything or cut anything.”
There will be a public hearing to discuss the proposed increase at the regular Tarkington ISD board meeting July 17, which starts at 7 pm. The discussion will be an agenda item with the board taking comments from residents.
The property tax increase will go before the voters in the middle of September. “September 17 or shortly after,” said Kirchner.
The proposed tax increase will be the only Tarkington ISD matter on the mid-September ballot. Because of changes in the Texas Education Code Tarkington will be holding its board elections in conjunction with the November 4 general election.
When asked why the property tax issue isn’t on the same ballot as the school board election Kirchner said it wasn’t an option. “The attorney general’s office says we only have so much time to vote on this,” Kirchner said.
The extra money from the raised property will also be used to help cover a four percent district wide pay raise. The board would like to use a part of it to purchase needed school vehicles.
“We hope to buy a bus or two,” Kirchner said, “if we’re careful with the budget maybe after the 2009-2010 year we can afford one.”
In addition to voting to let put a proposed property tax increase on a September ballot the board also voted to lower the debt service tax. The debt service tax was dropped from $.15 per $100,000 of taxable property to $.10 per $100,000.
“There are two big reasons why we need the increase,” said Tarkington ISD Superintendent John Kirchner, “energy costs and pay raises.” Kirchner explained that rising costs have more than doubled the districts fuel budget.
“We’ve seen an increase of $63,000,” he said. Kirchner stated that while the current fuel budget has risen to $130,000 the district expects it to go up. When asked what the district is budgeting for next year’s fuel Kirchner replied “$200,000.”
He explained that that number is for gasoline and diesel. Kirchner also said that even though rising fuel costs are hurting the district they haven’t “had to cancel anything or cut anything.”
There will be a public hearing to discuss the proposed increase at the regular Tarkington ISD board meeting July 17, which starts at 7 pm. The discussion will be an agenda item with the board taking comments from residents.
The property tax increase will go before the voters in the middle of September. “September 17 or shortly after,” said Kirchner.
The proposed tax increase will be the only Tarkington ISD matter on the mid-September ballot. Because of changes in the Texas Education Code Tarkington will be holding its board elections in conjunction with the November 4 general election.
When asked why the property tax issue isn’t on the same ballot as the school board election Kirchner said it wasn’t an option. “The attorney general’s office says we only have so much time to vote on this,” Kirchner said.
The extra money from the raised property will also be used to help cover a four percent district wide pay raise. The board would like to use a part of it to purchase needed school vehicles.
“We hope to buy a bus or two,” Kirchner said, “if we’re careful with the budget maybe after the 2009-2010 year we can afford one.”
In addition to voting to let put a proposed property tax increase on a September ballot the board also voted to lower the debt service tax. The debt service tax was dropped from $.15 per $100,000 of taxable property to $.10 per $100,000.
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henrytriche wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:55 PM: