With a 6-0 vote, Ector County Independent School Board trustees voted in favor of holding a tax ratification election November 6 that, if passed, would increase ECISD’s property tax rate by 13-cents.
The increase specifically affects the maintenance and operations (M&O) portion of the property tax rate, which funds the day-to-day operations of the district. Currently at $1.04 per $100 valuation, the proposed 13-cent increase would put the M&O tax rate at the highest allowed by the state ($1.17 per $100 valuation). The other portion of the property tax rate, known as interest and sinking (I&S) which funds bond debt, is $0.11.
If voters ratify the proposed tax rate this fall, the average home in Ector County ($170,873) would pay an additional $192.64 a year in ECISD property taxes.
Much like an election is required to raise the I&S tax rate for a school bond, state law requires school districts to hold an election, called a tax ratification election (TRE), to increase the M&O tax rate over $1.04 per $100 valuation. This will be ECISD’s second attempt at a TRE in the past two years, as voters rejected the same proposal on last year’s ballot.
The announcement of this year’s TRE, however, follows major changes within district leadership. ECISD Superintendent Tom Crowe will be retiring earlier than expected, effective September 1. Chief Operations Officer David Morris and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Roy Garcia are also stepping down, according to reports.
In addition to other items on the ballot, Ector County voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against the TRE November 6.
