VISD adopts 11-cent tax rate increase, budget

Aug. 23--Ann Riechers, a Victoria resident, said Thursday she opposed the Victoria school district's decision for a tax increase because it is going to affect people still recovering from Hurricane Harvey.

Instead, she recommended the board increase revenue by bringing more entertainment to the city, starting organic gardening or taking advantage of solar investments at one of its schools to save on electrical costs.

However, Board President Tami Keeling said the board has done its due diligence in the decision to increase the tax rate.

The school board adopted an 11-cent tax rate increase for one year, instead of the 13-cent increase it originally proposed, during Thursday's special board meeting.

The total tax rate is $1.3763 per $100 of assessed valuation, of which $1.15 per $100 of assessed valuation is for day-to-day operations and 22.63 cents per $100 of assessed valuation goes to pay off debt services.

The increased rate is enough to keep the district operating for another year and would not leave the district with financial burden in the event of another hurricane, Keeling said.

Dale Zuck, of Inez, and Emett Alvarez, managing editor of Revista de Victoria, supported the tax increase but said the district should be more transparent with the community about its budget.

Board member Bret Baldwin was the only board member to oppose the tax rate and the budget.

He said the board should look into more ways to generate additional revenue. One possibility he recommended is finding ways to increase number of students in career and technical education.

"I don't feel convinced this is the best we have," Baldwin said. "We still have work to do."

Board member Margaret Pruitt was not present.

The lower rate is possible because VISD received about $1.3 million in additional reimbursements for hurricane damage repair from insurance and $279,070 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"It's our commitment to be responsible to people," said Superintendent Quintin Shepherd. "The 11 cents covers some of the loss and expected loss."

The 11-cent tax increase on $100 of assessed valuation would generate about $4.5 million.

Under state tax law, districts affected by Hurricane Harvey can raise their maintenance and operation tax rates to the state cap of $1.17 per $100 of assessed value for one year only to help recoup losses from the hurricane.

Hurricane Harvey repair-related damages total about $8.9 million.

The district also received an Immediate Aid to Restart School grant for $834,766, which will go toward hurricane expenses.

Although funds will be recouped, there is still a shortfall of about $1.9 million to cover hurricane repairs, said Frances Koch, assistant superintendent of budget and finance.

The adopted budget for the 2018-19 school year is about $118 million. It includes stipends for teachers and administrators and a mid-point raise for all other employees. Another change is adding more school resource officers to the high school campuses.

Gabriella Canales reports on education for the Victoria Advocate. She may be reached at [email protected] or 361-580-6578.

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