Leander ISD trustees discussed the district’s property tax rate for the 2016-17 fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1.

At the board’s Aug. 11 meeting, Chief Financial Officer Lucas Janda told trustees property values increased from FY 2015-16 in both Travis and Williamson counties by more than 11 percent.

Trustees discussed potentially lowering the tax rate and maintaining the rate at $1.51187 per $100 of property valuation. If the rate remains the same, property owners would see higher tax bills because of the increase in home values.

At a July 21 meeting, Janda estimated a 2016-17 fiscal year budget in which $295 million in revenue would be offset by $313.7 million in expenditures. The budget would leave LISD with a shortfall of about
$18.7 million.

Trustees will hold a public hearing on the FY 2016-17 budget and tax rate Aug. 25 at 6:15 p.m. at the LISD Support Services Complex, 1900 Cougar Country Drive, Cedar Park.

Board President Will Streit said after the public hearing, trustees would likely come to a decision about the budget and tax rate.