Thursday, March 28, 2024

Carroll ISD Voters Reject Two-Cent Tax Increase

Carroll voters rejected a proposed two-cent tax increase for the district’s Maintenance and Operations budget during a special election Saturday in Southlake. A total of 1,321 voters were against the measure and 919 voted for the proposed tax.

Early voting was held August 28 through September 11, with a total of 1,305 voters casting a ballot during that period. Those who opposed the tax outnumbered those supporting the tax by more than a 2 to 1 margin, with 890 voting no and 411 voting yes. CISD has more than 20,000 registered voters.

The additional two-cent tax on the district’s Maintenance and Operations rate would have generated $1.1 million to help offset the operating budget. It would have cost the average Carroll ISD homeowner an additional $25 per year. With the additional operating dollars, CISD would have still faced a $2.8 million deficit in 2012-2013. Instead, district leaders now face a $3.9 million deficit during the 2012-2013 school year. The deficit is the result of state funding losses totaling $8 million over the biennium.

Options still available to the School Board include using Fund Balance, adjusting the fiscal year, changing student schedules, increasing class sizes, restructuring district programs and/or selling surplus land. Trustees will meet Monday, September 24 to canvass the election results. To learn more about Carroll ISD’s budget situation, visit CarrollBudget.com.

Read more about Sept. 15 Tax Ratification Elections held across the state on TexasISD.com.

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