Alongside voting on 14 constitutional amendments, residents living within the boundaries of New Braunfels ISD cast their ballots for or against the voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, in the Nov. 7 election.
Based on unofficial results from Comal and Guadalupe counties, voters support the VATRE proposition with 51.97% for and 48.03% against. As of press time, all polls are reporting results.
"The community has cast their ballots, and their voice has been heard, and your support of public education in New Braunfels ISD does not go unnoticed," NBISD Superintendent Laurelyn Arterbury said. "Thank you for entrusting us with your children and for giving us an opportunity to continue to provide quality education here in New Braunfels ISD."
The details
Due to the VATRE narrowly being passed by voters, the tax rate for fiscal year 2023-24 will be a $0.1535 reduction from the tax rate approved by the board last year, compared to an $0.1835 reduction if voters chose to reject the proposition. This is made possible with the passage of Proposition 4, a constitutional amendment that will authorize the Legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of property. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the amendment would save the average homeowner around $1,200-$1,450 if approved by voters in the Nov. 7 election. Unofficial results show 83.43% of voters across the state favor of the proposition.
The VATRE was brought before voters to balance the district’s budget and add 3 cents to the district tax rate. Without approval, NBISD would be facing a $4.5 million shortfall; with approval the district would see a $2 million shortfall. Going forward, district officials plan to propose the use of the general fund balance to make up the difference in the budget, according to NBISD’s Chief Financial Officer Paul McLarty.
Zooming in
- The tax rate of $1.0419 per $100 valuation was 3 cents above the maximum rate without voter approval, and will fund staff raises and student programs. McLarty said reductions in staff positions and academic programming may have been impacted if the VATRE was not passed by voters.
- The Legislature’s $18 billion tax relief package will allow taxpayers to see a 14.63% decrease in their tax bills, even though legal language of the ballot requires the wording to include it “will result in an increase.”
- Because NBISD has not seen an increase in school funding and due to inflation, the district is facing a shortfall.
The NBISD board of trustees voted Aug. 21 to call a Nov. 7 election for voters to authorize the addition of 3 cents to the district’s tax rate. More information on Nov. 7 election results in New Braunfels can be found at www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide/new-braunfels.
