Major takeaways
On May 7, MISD trustees authorized district leaders to order an efficiency audit in relation to the potential VATRE, as previously reported by Community Impact. A VATRE could bring in between $1.4 million-$9 million more in total funding annually, depending on how much of a tax rate raise the district decides to pursue.
On Aug. 6, Celina Cereceres—a partner for consulting firm Whitley Penn—presented the results of MISD’s VATRE efficiency audit to trustees. The audit compared MISD’s budget information to 10 peer districts—including Willis ISD, Friendswood ISD and Texas City ISD—and the averages of school districts across the state.
According to Cereceres’ presentation:
- $10,097 is received per MISD student in funding compared to the average per-student funding of 10 peer districts—$11,614—and the state average—$12,823.
- $10,555 is spent per student by MISD compared to the average per-student expenditures of 10 peer districts—$11,453—and the state average—$12,386.
- MISD’s maintenance and operations tax rate—which funds the district’s general fund budget, including payroll—of $0.8546 per $100 valuation was around $0.04 lower than the M&O rate of peer districts in both 2023 and 2022.
- 76.1% of all MISD funds are spent on payroll, which is 2.5% lower than the average of 10 peer districts and 1.7% lower than the state average.
If MISD pursues a $0.05 VATRE in November, this would generate about $5.5 million, Superintendent Mark Ruffin said Aug. 6. Ruffin said the VATRE would:
- Cost a homeowner about $8.85 per month on a $350,000 house
- Not increase taxes for voters age 65 and older
Going forward
MISD’s board of trustees has not yet approved the district’s annual tax rate and typically does in August. The total tax rate for FY 2023-24 is $1.0487 per $100 valuation.
