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Katy Citizen Watchdog$ |
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We’re Taxpayers. It’s Our Money. |
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The Bond Initiative 1994 |
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The bond pitch for the 1994 Bond Issue was stated in a copy of On Review (April 1994) by Brenda Ritter who was a member of the communications staff. Notice that the policy when the 1994 Bond Initiative was floated clearly indicated that “If growth doesn’t occur as expected and the facilities are not needed, the bonds will not be sold.”
“On Saturday, April 9, registered voters residing in the Katy Independent School District will have the opportunity to vote on a $90 million bond proposal. If approved, the money from the bonds will be used to build and equip new schools, renovate/expand and equip some current facilities and purchase land sites.
The state of Texas does not pay for school facilities. Therefore, school districts sell bonds to finance capital improvements. The last Katy ISD bond election was held 12 years ago, and since then, the student population has almost doubled. The 1982 bond money was used to build several new buildings and renovate and expand many more. Now, without new bond money, the district cannot expand current facilities or build new schools.
With the residential and commercial building boom within Katy ISD, demographic studies predict a continuous growth in the student population. For example, since last March, Katy ISD has grown by more than 1,200 students, and in the next five years, another 10,000 more students will be added. This tremendous growth requires action. Present Katy ISD facilities operate at or near capacity, with 62 classrooms housed in portable buildings, and 10 more portable buildings (20 classrooms) to be added next year.
Even though voters approve the bond issue, there are no costs incurred until the bonds are sold. If growth doesn’t occur as expected and the facilities are not needed, the bonds will not be sold. If the bonds are sold, debt service taxes are projected to rise from an estimated 32 cents per $100 assessed value in 1994/95 to a maximum of 39 cents in 1999/2000. For example, debt service taxes on a $100,000 home are projected to increase by $67 over the 5-year period. However, when home owners reach the age of 65, they may file for the Over 65 Homestead Exemption. This exemption freezes the amount of school property taxes they are paying at age 65 and their taxes will not increase even if the tax rate or the appraised value increases, as long as no improvements are made on the property.
To review facility needs, the Board of Trustees established a Bond Steering Committee, comprised of a cross-section of community members from all geographical areas of the school district. “We tried to fund enough money in this bond election to last at least five years,” said Jerry Montgomery, bond steering committee member. “We didn’t want to have to come back in two years and do this again. Visiting the Katy campuses and seeing the excellent condition they are in for the age of the buildings, has been an eye opener for me.”
“We addressed the immediate needs as they currently exist,” said Steering Committee member Dr. Tommy Harrison. “It was pretty clear in my mind throughout this process that we should give the school board the flexibility to respond to the needs as they exist.”
After several meetings and three public forums, the Bond Steering Committee determined that $90 million is required to meet capital improvement needs for the next five to seven years.
On Feb. 21, the Committee presented its recommendations to the Board of Trustees and outlined where the money would be spent (see chart below). Trustee James E. Williams said that he was on the board in 1982 when it called the last bond election. “It is a compliment to this school district that the Board is not afraid to step out and do what is necessary,” Williams said. “This bond proposal helps Katy ISD meet the challenges of the 21st century. It will help build our future.”
The election will be held on April 9, but early voting begins on March 21. Information about voting sites, times and dates may be found on page four.
THE $90 MILLION BOND PROPOSAL INCLUDES
NEW CONSTRUCTION $39 Million
Four elementary schools
One north of I-10 (McRoberts Elementary) to relieve Golbow, Winborn, Sundown, Mayde Creek and Wolfe
Two south of I-10 (Hayes Elementary and Williams Elementary) to relieve Nottingham Country, Pattison, Fielder, Cimarron and Memorial Parkway
One built by the 1998-1999 school year to be located as growth indicates (Alexander)
Two junior high schools
One north of I-10 to replace Katy Junior High and relieve McDonald and Mayde Creek junior highs (New Katy Junior High)
One south of 1-10 to relieve West Memorial and Memorial Parkway junior highs (Beck Junior High)
ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS $3.5 Million
Design consultants as required by law for new construction and renovation
RENOVATION AND EXPANSION $19.5 Million
Katy High School Taylor High School Mayde Creek High School Katy Elementary Mayde Creek Junior High West Memorial Junior High All schools to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements Clean Air Act requirements Current standards of Uniform Building Code
TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS $10 Million
Acquire the classroom hardware, software and networking adopted by the Board of Trustees in 1992 as part of the Technology Plan
CENTRAL SUPPORT FACILITIES $8 Million
Expand warehouse, transportation, maintenance, print shop, purchasing, food service, security, teacher center and audio/visual/computer/copier repair facilities
Meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements Meet Clean Air Act requirements Bring buildings up to current standards of Uniform Building Code
FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT $7 Million
Furniture and equipment necessary to equip the new schools, facilities and renovated and expanded areas
LAND ACQUISITION/DEVELOPMENT $3 Million
Land purchases necessary for proposed schools Utility and drainage improvements on sites owned by Katy ISD
In a brochure mailed to Katy citizens titled Building Our Future, the following information appeared:
TAX RATE COMPARISONS 1993-1994 SCHOOL YEAR
District General Fund Debt Service Fund Total
Spring Branch $1.64 .14 $1.78
Humble $1.32 .412 $1.732
Cy-Fair $1.47 .25 $1.72
Spring $1.47 .23 $1.70
Alief $1.2395 .46 $1.6995
Klein $1.28 .39 $1.67
Katy $1.34 .29 $1.63
Debt service taxes are projected to rise from an estimated 32 cents per $100 assessed value in 1994-1995 to a maximum of 39 cents in 1999-2000.
PROJECTED TAX IMPACT
COST OF HOME DEBT SERVICE TAXES
1994-1995 1999-2000
$50,000 Home $144.00 $175.00
$100,000 Home $304.00 $372.00
$150,000 Home $464.00 $585.00
See also “Picture Of The KISD Bond Process - Part I” - Click here to read this commentary.
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Mary McGarr, Katy Citizen Watchdog$ |
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Date: 10/10/2006 |
