School District Proposes 0.7252 Tax Rate Amid Homestead Exemption Increase

The Alice Independent School District (AISD) held a workshop on August 29, 2025, to discuss the proposed tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting focused on the district's financial outlook, including taxable values and the implications of changes to the homestead exemption.

During the workshop, it was reported that the taxable values for the 2025-2026 school year are projected at $1,233,000,000, reflecting a 1.52% decrease from the previous year’s $1,244,000,000. This decline is attributed to an increase in the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, which will require a vote in November.

The proposed tax rate for maintenance and operations (M&O) is set at 0.7252, with an interest and sinking (INS) rate of 0.447, totaling 1.1722. This represents a decrease from the previous year’s total rate of 1.1897. The district aims to maintain its financial obligations while ensuring minimal impact on taxpayers. For instance, the average homeowner's tax due is expected to decrease from $91.55 to $0 due to the increased homestead exemption, as the taxable value for homes under the new exemption will be effectively zero.

The discussion emphasized the importance of the M&O rate, which funds daily operations, including staff salaries and student resources, while the INS rate is dedicated to debt repayment. The district highlighted the need for the proposed tax rate to support ongoing capital projects and address rising operational costs, particularly in light of safety mandates and inflation.

The AISD plans to present the proposed tax rate for a vote at the upcoming board meeting, with the intention of ensuring continued investment in educational services while balancing the financial burden on local taxpayers.