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Local Voters Say Yes To School District Tax Hike Save Email Print

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(October 4, 2008)—Voters in the Belton Independent School District headed to the polls Saturday to decide whether to authorize an increase in the district’s maintenance and operation tax rate that would mean about $120 more a year in taxes on a $100,000 with a homestead exemption.

869 voted for the tax hike while 421 voted against it.

In August, the Belton School Board approved a maintenance and operation tax rate of $1.17 to cover the cost of salaries, supplies, maintenance and other district operations.

That’s a 13-cent increase over the current rate.

Under the state’s new public finance system, however, voters get the last word on the tax rate.

District officials say current revenue is insufficient to keep up with the rising cost of fuel, payrolls, utilities and other operating expenses.

The district’s total tax rate, which includes $.24 for interest and sinking will be $1.41, lower than the 2004 tax rate of $1.74.

BeltonISD Web Site


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Posted by: LJ Location: Texas on Oct 7, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Steve I completely agree with you. Now for the Mrs what kind of school supplies are you buying? I just bought my 2 kids school supplies and didn't spend $100 or are you counting the South Pole, Ecko, and Tommy H. clothes you bought them? I used to feel the same way until my fiance became a teacher. Do you realize they put in 9-10 hours a day, and then go home and put in another 2-3 hours a day to benefit your children. Do you consider the 8 hours they spend at school with your child teaching and providing them with knowledge? We are quick to pay a day care $150-$200 per child per week($7,800 a year for 1 child)when they're young, but do you realize starting pay for a teacher is about $36,000. Now do the math. Teacher, Police Officers, Firefighters are some of the most underpaid individuals in the United States of America. Quit griping and look at in a different prospective.

Posted by: Steve Location: Belton on Oct 6, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Nice observations ya'all... did you even bother to vote? Yeah, yeah sure you did. Next time put more effort in your convictions other than griping about the things that bother you in this forum. Take it to the streets, school board meetings, or the voting booth. In other words get involved or get the shaft every time. Just like the bailout, just like the county jail, just like the senior center. Just my 2 cents worth.

Posted by: the Mrs Location: HH on Oct 4, 2008 at 08:18 PM
I'm tired of paying the crazy school taxes and then turning around and also buying every supply as well; even for teachers like tissues etc. Someone tell me why the schools here cannot operate on the money they are getting? I spend almost $500 on school supplies for 3 kids, spend $5600 on my house taxes (and um my house was UNDER 200K)and now schools say they need more from me. I cannot afford any more!!!!!

Posted by: Dee Location: Belton on Oct 4, 2008 at 06:34 PM
Is that why the schoool can't keep soap in the bathrooms? It's too expensive? The local hospitals are making a ton of money off sick kids, the district fines the parents if the kids miss school, I wonder how many kids don't have health insurance so they CAN goto a doctor? I say, vote for soap, keep our kids clean, and healthy!

Posted by: Heart-Of-Texas Location: Waco on Oct 4, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Until These Schools(in all areas!) learn how to; save money,/stop spending/start classes after Labor Day/Stop Spring Breaks/Teachers in-house days/Toronado days/modify Bus Routes,,etc. They 'DO NOT' deserve any more money!! (Where's their sign[Stupid]!! Back-To-The-Future!!

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