Austin ISD employees will recieve a 1.5 percent across-the-board salary increase in fiscal year 2017-18, the smallest increase in four years, according to the district's Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley Johnson during a Monday presentation to board trustees.

"Our 1.5 percent salary increase is modest compared to other surrounding school districts," she said. "Because of our revenue limitations and the pressure recapture puts on our budget, we are not able to go beyond that at this time; we don't feel it is prudent."

The state recapture law, also known as "Robin Hood," continues to hinder the district's budget, Johnson said, which totals approximately $1.4 billion in revenue and $1.5 billion in expenditures for fiscal year 2017-18.

"Recapture is putting significant pressure on our budget," she said. "Forty-six percent of every dollar next year will go to state for recapture and by 2019, over half [will go to the state]."

The district will increase its total contribution to employee health care plans by $11 million, Superintendent Paul Cruz said.

"Investing in our employees is critical," he said. "That is what makes us a high-performing urban school district."

Johnson also reported that her staff will not be recommending a change in the property tax rates paid by district residents during fiscal year 2017-18.

Johnson said the administration is proposing a maximum tax rate of $1.027 per $100 home value for maintenance & operations purposes, and a tax rate of $0.113 per $100 home value for its interest & sinking fund, which allows the district to pay principal and interest rates on its bond debts.

According to Johnson, the chief appraiser is required by law to provide the district with the 2017 certified appraisal roll by July 25.  The district's board of trustees must then adopt the tax rate by Sept. 23, or 60 days after receiving the roll, whichever is later.

Trustees are scheduled to adopt the fiscal year 2018 budget on June 19.