Early voting for the Orangefield ISD Tax Ratification Election starts Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school district’s administration building. The main election will be Saturday, October 3. Early voting will continue on weekdays until Tuesday, September 29. Voters must have valid photograph identification.
The school board voted to call the election to raise the maintenance and operations tax from the state maximum of $1.04 per $100 valuation to $1.17 cents per $100 valuation on property. The school district information says the median house in the district is valued at $117,000. The increase in taxes for a homeowner with homestead exemption would be $8.52 a month. Homeowners age 65 or older, and those with a disability exemption, have their taxes frozen and will not pay the increase.
Superintendent Dr. Stephen Patterson has said the district needs the extra income because the Texas Legislature has continued to cut funding to public schools for six years.
The Tax Ratification Election, if it passes, will also increase the amount of state money to be sent to the district. Patterson said the tax increase will raise an estimated $548,500 in local money. The state will kick in an extra $398,500 because the district will meet some of the funding guidelines.
The school board has sent letters to taxpayers in the district explaining the election and has also has held public information meetings. Detailed information about the tax election is on the homepage of the district’s website.
The main election will be Saturday, October 3. On that day, voters must go their county polling sites. The Orangefield boxes will be at the Orangefield High School Library, Pecan Acres Baptist Church, Orange County Convention and Expo Center, and the Orange County Drainage District office.
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