Bartlett Independent School District is asking voters to approve $4.3 million in bonds to refinance existing debt and a 12-cent property tax rate increase in the November 3 election.
The two bond propositions would cost taxpayers approximately $5.7 million in principal and interest, according to the district’s official election documents.
Proposition B would authorize up to $3.3 million in bonds to refinance maintenance tax notes issued in 2024. With an estimated $1.1 million in interest, the total repayment cost would reach approximately $4.4 million over 15 years.
Proposition C would authorize another $1 million to refinance previously issued time warrants. Including an estimated $294,773 in interest, the total cost would reach approximately $1.3 million.
Unlike traditional school bond proposals, neither measure would fund new construction. Instead, the bonds would shift existing debt payments from the district’s maintenance and operations (M&O) budget to its interest and sinking (I&S) fund.
Bartlett ISD currently has approximately $3.3 million in outstanding liabilities not covered by its operating budget, including $1.8 million in construction-related obligations and a $1.5 million payroll loan.
The district estimates that refinancing the existing obligations would free approximately $400,000 in annual operating funds to help address those liabilities.
Separately, Proposition A would ask voters to approve a 12-cent increase in the district’s M&O tax rate, bringing it to $0.7804 per $100 of taxable property value.
The increase is projected to generate approximately $600,000 annually, including $220,000 in local property tax revenue and $380,000 in state funds.
If approved, the district’s combined M&O and I&S tax rate would total $1.2804 per $100 of taxable value. For a homeowner with a $300,000 residence and a $140,000 homestead exemption, the district estimates an additional $192 in annual property tax.
Bartlett ISD also reported approximately $19.9 million in outstanding debt principal and $15.2 million in remaining interest obligations in its bond election order.
Although both bond propositions carry the legally required ballot language stating they constitute a property tax increase, district officials project that the I&S tax rate would remain at $0.50 per $100 of taxable value.
Early voting began Monday and runs through October 30, with Election Day scheduled for November 3.
