Conroe ISD's fiscal year 2020-21 budget was unanimously passed by the district board of trustees during their Aug. 18 regular meeting.
The budget, which passed in a 7-0 vote, calls for $576.99 million in spending from the district's general operating funds over the coming year with the majority—just under $506 million—dedicated to payroll. Based on the approved budget, the district expects to collect $582.46 million in revenue over the coming year.
“We are in strong financial shape to address the challenges ahead with COVID-19, the start of school and then the upcoming legislative session," Chief Financial Officer Darrin Rice said.During a public hearing on the budget prior to the regular board session, Rice said the district is planning for more than $19 million in new spending or revenue shortfalls from the pandemic this year. Rice said that figure includes more than $6 million dedicated to buying new remote learning technology; protective and sanitization equipment; additional custodial and health care staff hires; and an estimated $5 million for employee leave and absences related to COVID-19. More than $7 million in lost revenue will also contribute to the pandemic's financial effects, Rice said.
While the district unanimously passed its budget Tuesday evening, the district's FY 2020-21 tax rate is set to be approved at the board's September regular meeting. The proposed tax rate of $1.2125 per $100 property valuation includes a $0.9525 maintenance and operations rate and a $0.26 debt service rate. The overall rate represents a 1.42% decrease over CISD's FY 2019-20 rate, and Rice said the district's certified property values increased around 5.71% over the previous tax year.
