Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Tax Ratification Election

Posted Date: 11/04/2016

October 4, 2016 • Beeville, Texas

Beeville voters showed overwhelming support for the Beeville Independent School District’s tax ratification election.  Of the nearly 300 ballots tallied, 80 percent voted for the so-called "penny swap," and 20 percent were against it.

“We are both humbled and excited that the Beeville citizens have supported our students and our schools…and the bottom line is this is not a tax increase,” stated Superintendent Dr. Marc Puig.  “The overwhelmingly strong approval means the community is really behind the board’s vision to use the money to go forward with their strategic plan,” Puig added.

Residents will pay the same tax rate of $1.2054, even though they approved the increase.  That's because there will be a reallocation from one tax fund to another.  The district raised its maintenance and operations tax rate from the proposed $1.04 per $100 valuation to $1.17.  To offset that increase, the school board agreed in August that if the measure passed there would be a 13-cent decrease in the interest and sinking tax rate.  The 13 cent penny swap will generate an additional estimated $1,000,000+ annually for BISD.