SISD proposed tax rate stays the same while taxes increase

By MARTHA CHARREY
San Jacinto News-Times
editormcharrey@eastex.net

SHEPHERD – AlthoughShepherd Independent SchoolDistrict’s tax rate will remainthe same as last year’s propertyowners will pay slightly moretaxes this year than last year.The school district is proposinga 2012 tax rate total of$1.36, the same as last year’stotal rate. This year’s tax rate,however, will generate about$5.60 more on the averageresidence in taxes, according tofigures released Monday nightduring a board meeting.Local revenue from theproposed tax rate will allowthe district to spend $2,200 perstudent this year, with $6,416coming from state revenue perstudent, compared to $2,163in local revenue per studentlast year and $6,086 from staterevenue per student last yearThe average market valueof residences in the districtdropped from $65,656 last yearto $65,479 this year, whilethe average taxable value of aresidence in the district wentup to $36,884 this year, from$36,472 last year.Taxes due on an averageresidence in the district thisyear will be $501.62, up from$496.02 last year.The total appraised value ofall property in the district thisyear is $435,041,778, up from$419,379,668 last year. The totaltaxable value of all propertyin the district is $307,588,660this year, compared to$290,102,146 last year. Thetotal amount of the district’soutstanding and unpaid bondedindebtedness amounts to $23.7million.A public meeting to discussthe district’s budget andproposed tax rate for 2012 willbe held at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug.20 in the board room located at1401 S. Byrd Avenue, Shepherd.