Jennifer Perry Middleton
Jefferson Jimplecute
The Jefferson Independent School District’s Board of Trustees set the annual tax rate and budget during a special meeting Tuesday.
For 2022-23, the board approved a maintenance and operations tax rate of 0.9308, lower than last year’s rate of 0.96340. The interest and sinking rate was set at 0.0547, lower than last year’s rate of 0.0801. The I&S rate is used to pay old debt (bond) payments, which were approved by voters in past years. The M&O rate is used to operate and maintain the district. The total tax rate is 0.9855.
Superintendent Rob Barnwell said he believes the district can effectively operate with this rate this year.
“We appreciate all the work Mike Wood has done on this budget,” Barnwell said of the district’s finance director. “This rate is compressed from last year’s due to new laws regarding homestead exemption,” he added. “We are forced to lower it each year that the overall values go up.”
He explained that although property values went up, school districts aren’t allowed to gain more revenue from taxes; therefore, the rate is less than last year.
Trustees also approved the 2022-23 budget of $13,856,963. Wood told them it includes monies for a new bus, additional COVID-19 federal funding and about $800,000 in costs for the stadium improvement project.
In his report to the board, Barnwell referenced the stadium, and said everything is looking good and almost ready for next week’s homecoming festivities.
“It looks really good,” Board President Leah Cooper said.
A few additional things need to be done, including backfill on the parking lot and installing stadium lights, which the district has been told are sitting on a boat in San Diego, Calif.
Lastly, Barnwell asked that the minutes reflect the previous acceptance of a resignation from Erin McFarland.