A total of 1,290 voters went to the polls, with 869 for the increase and 421 against. During early voting, 817 ballots were cast.
“That’s a success rate of 2:1,” said Judy Owens, Belton ISD public information officer.
Dr. Vivian Baker, Belton superintendent, said she was thrilled with the public support and with the board’s courageous move to ask for this ratification election.
“We will be able to fulfill our budget appropriations as requested and as the board approved. It means that we will retroactively put in place salary increases for this year and we will set aside funds for the purchase of land for future growth,” Baker said. “We will be able to maximize our revenue at the state level by 120 percent.”
The $61.9 million general fund budget will include a 4 percent increase in teacher salaries, approved by the board in July. The raises depended on the tax rate being approved by voters.
With the increase, the tax rate will be $1.17 per $100 property valuation. Combined with the $0.2410 interest and sinking fund tax rate, the total proposed tax rate was set at $1.4110 per $100.
The new tax rate will raise the tax on a $100,000 home by about $130 per year claiming homestead exemption.
Taxes will not go up for those 65 or older who have frozen tax bills on their primary residence, district officials said.
Eric Haugeberg, assistant superintendent for Support Services for the Belton Independent School District, said the 4 percent pay raise for teachers would make the district competitive with other school districts the same size in Texas, and particularly with other districts in Bell County.
Baker said the district should be able to operate within the new tax rate for the next four to five years.
Next on the horizon for the Belton district is a bond election in May 2009 to consider building a new middle school near U.S. 190 and Loop 121. Estimates have been in the range of $35 million.
tcooper@temple-telegram.com
