Property taxpayers across North Texas are taking a beating due to runaway government spending and debt. Average property taxes in the DFW Metroplex rose 8 percent last year—well above the national average of 3 percent. Some homeowners have seen their property tax bills skyrocket by 50 percent or more over the past five years, as local officials fail to lower tax rates enough to offset rising property values.

Yet instead of offering over-burdened taxpayers much-needed relief, at least a dozen cities and school districts in the area are asking voters to approve higher property tax bills to pay for even more spending and debt.

Local taxing entities with bond debt propositions on the May ballot are listed below. Click on the name of the entity for more information. Tax rates are per $100 of assessed taxable property value. Current debt includes principal and interest as reported by the Texas Bond Review Board, unless otherwise noted. Recent tax increases reflect the average homeowner’s property tax bill for the listed entity.

Texans who are taxed enough already need to make their voices heard in the May 4 local elections. Polls are open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Allen Independent School District
Proposed Debt: $422.8 million
Projects:
Replacement Agricultural Center, renovations to eight schools and athletic/administration facilities, technology/mobile devices, buses, security, building maintenance (no new schools or land)
Current Debt: $1 billion
Average School Tax Bill: $4,517 (2016)
Recent Tax Increase: 23 percent (2013-2016)
Current Tax Rate: $1.55

 

Celina Independent School District
Proposed Debt: $600 million
Projects:
Five new schools, multiple school additions/renovations, land
Current Debt: $171 million
Average School Tax Bill: $3,781 (2016)
Recent Tax Increase: 27 percent (2013-2016)
Current Tax Rate: $1.64

 

Dallas County Community College District
Proposed Debt: $1.1 billion
Projects:
Replacement downtown campus, land, “projects and programs”
Current Debt: $274 million
Average College Tax Bill: $237 (2018)
Recent Tax Increase: 70 percent (2013-2018)
Current Tax Rate: $0.02

 

Fairview
Proposed Debt: $7.6 million
Projects:
New fire station (total cost $10.3 million)
Current Debt: $28 million
Average Town Tax Bill: $1,634 (2016)
Recent Tax Increase: 26 percent (2013-2016)
Current Tax Rate: $0.36

 

Farmers Branch
Proposed Debt: $24 million
Projects:
Library
Current Debt: $73 million
Average City Tax Bill: $974 (2018)
Recent Tax Increase: 66 percent (2013-2018)
Current Tax Rate: $0.60 (3-cent rate increase proposed)

 

Frisco
Proposed Debt: $345 million (5 separate propositions)
Projects: Public safety, streets, public works, library, parks and recreation
Current Debt: $1 billion
Average City Tax Bill: $1,679 (2016)
Recent Tax Increase: 31 percent (2013-2016)
Current Tax Rate: $0.45 (up to 2.5-cent rate increase projected)

 

Garland
Proposed Debt: $423.7 million (8 separate propositions)
Projects: Streets, public safety, storm drainage, parks and recreation, libraries, economic development, municipal facilities, animal shelter
Current Debt: $265 million (principal, per city)
Average City Tax Bill: $1,023 (2018)
Recent Tax Increase: 53 percent (2013-2018)
Current Tax Rate: $0.70 (8.5-cent rate increase proposed)

 

McKinney
Proposed Debt: $350 million (5 separate propositions)
Projects: Public safety, roads, public works, library, parks and recreation
Current Debt: $237 million (principal, per city)
Average City Tax Bill: $1,797 (2019)
Recent Tax Increase: 48 percent (2013-2019)
Current Tax Rate: $0.525

 

Plano
Proposed Debt: $44.6 million (3 separate propositions)
Projects: Streets, parks and recreation, municipal facilities renovations
Current Debt: $377 million (principal, per city)
Average City Tax Bill: $1,359 (2018)
Recent Tax Increase: 40 percent (2013-2018)
Current Tax Rate: $0.45

 

Princeton Independent School District
Proposed Debt: $237.4 million
Projects:
Four new schools, land
Current Debt: $340 million
Average School Tax Bill: $1,818 (2016)
Recent Tax Increase: 37 percent (2013-2016)
Current Tax Rate: $1.62 (up to 5-cent increase possible)

 

Prosper Independent School District
Proposed Debt: $1.337 billion
Projects:
16 new schools, performing arts center, natatorium, administration building, improvements, buses, land
Current Debt: $1 billion
Average School Tax Bill: $6,011 (2016)
Recent Tax Increase: 33 percent (2008-2016)
Current Tax Rate: $1.67 (maximum rate allowed by state law)

 

Wylie Independent School District
Proposed Debt: $193.7 million
Projects:
Additions and renovations to 14 campuses (no new schools or land, total cost $212 million)
Current Debt: $629 million (principal and interest, per district)
Average School Tax Bill: $4,246 (2018)
Recent Tax Increase: 50 percent (2014-2018)
Current Tax Rate: $1.64

A complete listing of all local bond debt elections on the May 2019 ballot can be found on the Texas Comptroller’s website.

Erin Anderson

Erin Anderson is a Senior Journalist for Texas Scorecard, reporting on state and local issues, events, and government actions that impact people in communities throughout Texas and the DFW Metroplex. A native Texan, Erin grew up in the Houston area and now lives in Collin County.

RELATED POSTS