Flour Bluff Independent School District trustees are asking voters to approve a $193 million bond package that would raise residents’ property tax rates by 23 percent.
With interest, the bonds would cost local property taxpayers $392 million, according to the district’s own estimates—double the dollar amount voters will see on the May 3 ballot.
Voters will decide on three separate bond propositions:
—Prop A: $110.8 million ($226.7 million with interest) for construction and renovation of campus and district facilities, safety and security features, and new buses.
—Prop B: $67 million ($134 million with interest) for construction and renovation of career and technical, physical education, and extracurricular facilities.
—Prop C: $15.4 million ($31.3 million with interest) for stadium renovations.
The new debt would be added to the $58 million in outstanding principal and interest currently owed by Flour Bluff ISD taxpayers.
The district’s website states that if the bonds pass, residents’ school property tax rate will increase by $0.18 per $100 of taxable assessed property value—a 23 percent increase.
For an average home valued at $350,000, owners would pay an additional $450 a year in school property taxes.
Flour Bluff ISD is located on the eastern edge of Corpus Christi, overlooking Padre Island and the Gulf of America. It serves about 1,900 students on six campuses.
Conservative activist Suzanne Guggenheim, who heads the Coastal Bend Republican Coalition, told Texas Scorecard that local residents can’t afford such a large tax increase right now.
“This is the wrong time,” said Guggenheim. “People have not recovered from the disastrous effects of the Biden economy.”
Still, the bonds have very visible boosters.
In addition to the district’s taxpayer-funded bond “information” campaign, a pro-bond political action committee has produced a website, signs, mailers, koozies, and other promotional items.
The Vote For FBISD Kids! PAC had raised almost $40,000 as of March 24, according to its campaign finance reports.
Top PAC donors are contractors who could benefit from the bond proceeds, including A/C & R Services ($7,500), Hellas Construction ($7,500), Pfluger Architects ($7,500), Weaver and Jacobs Constructors ($5,000), and Stridde Callins and Associates ($2,000).
Other top pro-bond donors include KGRB Properties ($2,500) and Hunter Trial Law ($2,000), headed by the son of Corpus Christi Republican State Rep. Todd Hunter.
Election Day is Saturday, May 3. Early voting begins Tuesday, April 22, and ends Tuesday, April 29.
