The Hays CISD board of trustees adopted an amended tax rate Nov. 17, following voter rejection of the proposed tax rate at the polls earlier this month. The proposed rate was $1.2746 per $100 valuation.
What’s new
The revised rate will remain the same as 2024-25, at $1.1546 per $100 valuation, which is the maximum rate the district can set without requiring voter approval, according to Chief Financial Officer Deborah Ottmers. This rate includes $0.6669 for maintenance and operations, and $0.4877 for interest and sinking.
While the tax rate will remain the same, it will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations, due to increased home values. However, owners of an average homestead valued at $100,000 will not see a change to their tax bill, partially due to the increased homestead tax exemption recently approved by Texas voters.
The background
In August, the HCISD board of trustees adopted the 2025-26 tax rate of $1.2746 and called an election to receive voter approval. While the rate was higher than the previous year, it was lower than historical tax rates.
The sheet also stated that the district intended to use the higher property tax rate to rebuild the fund balance, which currently sits at approximately $20 million. In order to rebuild the fund balance with the revised tax rate, the district will be making budget cuts for the 2026-27 school year, according to the sheet.
Superintendent Eric Wright said all cuts will be announced March 30.
“That gives us time to give very thoughtful consideration to each cut that we will have to make,” Wright said.
Stay tuned
Ottmers said the tax office will send homeowners their tax bills in the next few days.
