Comal ISD taxpayers will see a sharp decline in their school property tax rates this coming year when the proposed $1.31 per $100 valuation tax rate is approved by the school board on Aug. 30. The current tax rate is $1.64.

During a school board workshop on the proposed 2007-08 budget and tax rate on Aug. 13, trustees discussed the proposed tax rate and set Aug. 30 for a public meeting for patrons to express their views about the budget and tax rate. The public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Comal ISD Support Services board room, 1404 Interstate 35 North in New Braunfels.

To learn more about the proposed budget and tax rate visit http://www.comalisd.org/About_Us/Budget_Information.asp and download the proposed budget book that contains valuable information for Comal ISD taxpayers.

For instance, DID YOU KNOW?

• The tax rate will drop by 33 cents per $100 valuation this coming year when adopted by the school board.

• The portion of the tax rate covering all of the bond construction projects will remain the same (in fact, it has decreased by 3 cents since the $189 million bond issue was approved by voters in late 2005)

• The average value of a home in Comal ISD is now $213,160.

• Comal ISD homeowners receive two homestead exemptions — $15,000 from the state and 20 percent from Comal ISD (Very few districts give the additional exemption.)

• So, that average homestead’s school property taxes will be about $1,977 this coming year or almost $225 less than the average homestead last year

• At least $12 million will be deposited in the district’s fund balance (savings account) this year bringing the fund balance to about $40 million. About $5.6 million of it is unanticipated additional revenue and about $7 million of it is “unspent” revenues from last year’s budget.

• Comal ISD payroll accounts for 77 percent of the budget

• Teachers received a 6 to 7 percent pay raise; paraprofessionals and auxiliary staff received a 6 percent increase; and, administrators received a 4 percent increase

• Due to a projected 1,000 student enrollment increase and the opening of two new elementary schools and one new high school, CISD hired approximately 100 new teachers and staff this year.