BURTON SCHOOL BOARD PROPOSES LOWER TAX RATE
The Burton School Board on Monday proposed a reduced property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year.
newly proposed tax rate.
The presented rate of $0.9380 per $100 valuation is made up of $0.7380 for maintenance and operations (M&O) and $0.2000 for interest and sinking (I&S). It is lower than last year’s rate of $1.0546 per $100, which has $0.8546 for M&O and $0.2000 for I&S. While the average taxable value of homes in Burton ISD has increased, the proposed rate will drop the taxes due on the average home by $107.
The highest tax rate the school district could adopt before requiring voter approval through an election is $0.9500 per $100. However, the tax rate the district would need in order to keep the same amount of M&O revenue and pay debt service is $1.1918 per $100.
A meeting for public comments on the proposed budget and tax rate will be held on Tuesday, August 29th at 7 a.m. in the Burton ISD administration office. After the public hearing, trustees will vote to adopt the budget and tax rate.
Trustees also received a report on the status of the Burton ISD bond project. Burton ISD Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy said it does not appear the target date of October 27th will be hit to hold homecoming festivities on the new field, so plans will need to be made to host them as part of basketball, volleyball or as a separate event entirely.
DSA Construction Management Project Manager Stad Tomlinson said Champion Site Prep will mobilize next week, following the decision last week to terminate the contract of Circle H Dirt Work and Excavation. Boothe Construction was asked to complete the storm drainage that Circle H was working on. There will be a meeting with Champion Site Prep and Hellas Construction to discuss the expectations and scheduling between the two moving forward.
In other items, trustees approved a resolution with the Texas Rural Broadband Coalition asking the state to create a statewide broadband internet service plan to ensure access to dependable, affordable broadband services. They also renewed an agreement to designate Washington County Extension Service agents as adjunct staff members.
Board members then went into an executive session to discuss the superintendent’s contract and salary, the proposed 2023-24 pay plan, discipline, and district safety and security.
As of Monday, Burton ISD’s enrollment sits at 586 students, including 361 elementary and 225 secondary.