MFISD adopts new tax rate, approves field improvements
Glynis Crawford Smith/The Highlander
Brayden Wingate gets a high five from teacher aide Gloria Saucedo as he heads, with his mother, Mallori, for the first day of kindergarten at Marble Falls Elementary School Monday, Aug. 28. He is one of more than 4,200 students expected to be enrolled in the Marble Falls Independent School District (MFISD) this fall. A little extra time is recommended for arrival, as everyone settles into schedules. That applies as well for bus stops where small delays can add up. First-day arrivals were described by the district as 'terrific.'
By Richard Zowie
The Highlander
A new tax rate that Marble Falls High School board approved at an Aug. 21 meeting will be the lowest rate the district has paid in several years.
The trustees also approved renovations to the Mustang baseball field, which should be completed in time for the 2018 baseball season.
2017-2018 tax rate adoption
Lisa LeMon, MFISD executive director of finance, presented to the trustees tax rate approvals for the 2017-2018 school year.
For maintenance and operations, proposed rate was $1.0533. For the property tax rate for interest and sinking, the rate was $0.2253.
This is a tax rate on $100 valuation for the district.
The combined $1.2786 represents the lowest rate the district has paid in six years. From the 2012-2013 to 2016-2017 school years, the rate was $1.2800. Officials say this rate will help raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year’s tax rate.
The trustees approved both rates.
This year’s fiscal budget was adopted in June.
Baseball field renovations
Due to a desire to get ahead in case of weather concerns, the trustees approved a plan to improve and repair the Marble Falls High School baseball field. Jeff Gasaway, MFISD assistant superintendent of administrative operations, made the presentation for a plan not to exceed $300,000.
“I don’t see an upside to waiting,” Gasaway said.
Trustees approved the plan.
Two companies on the Texas Buy Board submitted bids; because they were on the buy board, the district is not required to send this project out for proposals.
The $278,059.74 repair budget would be funded from remaining bond funds, and the remaining cost would come from the additional revenue resulting from the estimated property values to the actual property values.
This will deal with the field and the significant amount of rain that would sit upon the field.
“Basically, our field will be unplayable until the renovations are finished,” Gasaway said, adding they will be doing “laser grades,” subgrades, new grass and other improvements.
Lifespan for the new field is expected to be 30 years.
MFISD board briefs
…The trustees heard a first reading for a $430,000 purchase of four new buses (two special education buses and two, 77-passenger buses). Formal approval will be at a future meeting.
