• $775,000 will be used to increase salaries for all staff and expand dual credit programs at LHS. • Livingston ISD cannot raise the M&O portion of the tax rate above $1.17 without a change in state law.
Pine Ridge Elementary 1200 W. Mill Ridge Livingston, TX 77351 Timber Creek Elementary 701 N. Willis, Livingston, TX 77351 Livingston Intermediate School #1 Lions Avenue Livingston, TX 77351 Livingston Junior HIgh School 1801 US 59 Loop South Livingston, TX 77351 Livingston High School 400 FM 350 South Livingston, TX 77351
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N Cedar Grove Elementary 819 W. Church Livingston, TX 77351
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• If a majority votes against the tax rate adopted by the Board of Trustees, the district will not have access to over $775,000 in additional funds this year and every year thereafter.
Additional Early voting locations will be available on August 20, 2015 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the following locations:
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• If a majority votes for the tax rate adopted by the Board of Trustees, Livingston ISD would receive additional funding of $775,000 dollars this year and every succeeding year. The $775,000 comes from additional state aid and local taxes.
Early Voting Special Event
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• Livingston ISD voters can generate an additional $775,000 by approving a Tax Ratification Election (TRE).
EARLY VOTING
Early Voting will be held between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 p.m. at the Livingston ISD Administration Office 1412 South Houston Livingston, Texas 77351 On Wednesday, August 19, 2015 Tuesday, September 1, 2015
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Facts to Consider
LIVINGSTON ISD TAX RATIFICATION VOTING
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Livingston Independent School District
Tax Ratification Election
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Election Day
Saturday September 5, 2015 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Livingston ISD Administration Office 1412 South Houston Livingston, TX
Questions and Answers What is a Tax Ratification Election (TRE)?
A tax ratification election (TRE) is a special election, called by the Board of Trustees, asking the voters to approve a tax rate that is above the $1.04 tax rate allowed by state law. $1.04 is our current rollback rate.
Why are we having a TRE?
The Livingston ISD Board of Trustees approved a Maintenance & Operations (M & O) tax rate of $1.17. The Board has called a tax ratification election to take advantage of state incentives to school districts that invest additional local dollars in the education of our children.
How did we get here?
The current school finance system was crafted in 2006. If a school district needs more M & O money than it received in 2005-06, then it must call a TRE. The need to stay competitive with teacher salaries and funding facilities to meet the needs of our growing student population has required us to look at ways to increase revenue. If the TRE passes, Livingston ISD will receive an estimated $775,000 in additional revenue for the district with a decrease to the tax rate for LISD taxpayers.
What will a TRE do for Livingston ISD? • •
Raise salaries to recruit and retain the highest quality teachers by adjusting district pay instruments. Expand dual credit programs at LHS
What will it cost me?
Livingston ISD will increase the Maintenance and Operations Tax Rate by $0.13 and decrease the Interest and Sinking (debt service) Tax Rate by $0.135. This will cost the taxpayers nothing extra. The tax swap plan will decrease the Interest and Sinking (I & S) tax rate greater than the amount of the proposed M & O increase, resulting in a decrease in the overall tax rate.
2014 - 2015 Rate Breakdown M & O: $1.04 I & S: $0.355 Total Tax Rate: $1.395 2015 - 2016 Proposed Tax Rate M & O: $1.17 I & S: $0.22 Total Tax Rate: $1.39
How will the proposition be worded on the ballot?
Approving the ad valorem tax rate of $1.525 per $100 valuation in the Livingston ISD for the current year, a rate that is $0.13 higher per $100 valuation than the school district rollback tax rate.
FOR AGAINST *This wording is required per state law, however the Board of Trustees have passed a contingent board action which will result in the tax rate being $1.39.
I’m over 65. Will my taxes increase?
Tax bills on Over-65 or Disabled homesteads are frozen and will not go up. They will never go up unless the homeowner makes significant improvements to the home. Further budget reductions will negatively impact educational opportunities for Livingston ISD students. Questions may be directed to Dr. Brent Hawkins or Diana Kelm at 936-328-2100