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Bastrop ISD trustees continued discussions July 27 about potentially asking voters this November to approve a tax rate increase.
Why it matters
The district is weighing a proposed voter-approval tax rate election amid rising operating costs, stagnant enrollment and a $1.7 million budget shortfall for 2026-27.
The overview
The proposal would add three tax-rate pennies and generate about $6 million annually, Chief Financial Officer Mike White said.
He added that the state tax compression is expected to lower the district’s maintenance and operations rate by 1.7 cents, so adding the three pennies would leave the rate 1.3 cents higher than in 2025-26.
By the numbers
Bastrop ISD’s M&O tax rate was $0.6669 per $100 valuation in 2025-26.
For 2026-27, White said the rate is expected to be:
For a home with $300,000 in taxable value, that would look like:
White explained that homeowners aged 65 and older with a homestead exemption would not see an increase from the proposal.
Next steps
Trustees will consider calling the election at an Aug. 13 meeting. If that happens, voters would decide on the measure Nov. 3.
