At its August 18 Special Meeting, the Aransas Pass ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call a voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) that will be on the November 4 ballot.
At the same meeting, the Board also approved the 2025 tax rate. The total district tax rate consists of a Maintenance & Operations tax (M&O) and an Interest & Sinking tax (I&S). If approved, the VATRE would increase the M&O tax rate by $0.03. The Board approved a $0.03 decrease in the I&S rate, resulting in no change to the district’s total tax rate from 2024.
Over the last six years, the overall APISD tax rate has been reduced by 55.22 cents. It is currently at its lowest point in more than 25 years and is among the lowest in the region..
If approved by voters, the three-cent increase to the M&O tax rate would generate an estimated $936,611 annually for school district operations. Areas identified by the district for use of these funds include staff retention incentives, technology upgrades, and support of extracurricular programs including elementary fine arts, band, and athletics.
The proposed three-cent increase would be made of “golden pennies.” Revenue from golden pennies remains with the local school district and is not subject to recapture, meaning all funds would stay within APISD.
Registered voters residing within APISD boundaries are eligible to participate in the election. The deadline to register to vote in the November 4 election is Monday, October 6. Early voting will take place from Monday, October 20, through Friday, October 31. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.
APISD will hold informational meetings regarding the VATRE. Dates and details will be announced and shared through the district’s regular communication channels once finalized.