TISD approves tax rate, budget

TRINITY — The Trinity ISD Board of Trustees approved the new fiscal year budget and tax rate at the Aug. 24 meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Petty said the board approved a combined rate of .8744, or 87.44 cents per $100 property valuation. The rate includes 69.27 cents for maintenance and operations and 18.17 cents for debt service.

Petty said the rate is a little bit less than last year — less than a penny — but will still provide roughly the same revenue due to increases in property values.

The board also approved the FY 2026-27 budget.

In a related matter, the board approved an engagement agreement with a law firm Cantu Harden Montoya LLP to discuss refinancing bonds. Petty said the refinancing could save the district around half a million dollars.

In other business, the trustees:

• discussed plans to get daily attendance rates over 94 percent;
• discussed progress on revamping the district website, which will include a mobile app. The new site should be ready by mid-October;
• approved 4-H as an extracurricular activity and the AgriLife Extension agent as adjunct faculty;
• selected Trustee Ricky Hortman as the new Texas Association of School Boards delegate;
• renewed the retainer for general counsel with the Walsh Gallegos law firm;
• approved renewal of CDs worth more than $2.2 million at 4 percent; and
• approved applying for a flexible school day agreement, a program from TEA to allow the district to provide different attendance options for at-risk students.