FAQ

Bond

  • Just as homeowners borrow money in the form of a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, a school district borrows money in the form of bonds to finance construction, renovation and other capital projects.

    Both are repaid over time, but in order for a school district to issue bonds, it must go to the voters for approval.

  • Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings.

    Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.

  • Districts cannot use funds from the bond to help with instructional supplies; however, Districts can use the proceeds to purchase and improve technology and support new and existing programs, such as the Audio-Visual program enhancement supported by Proposition B.

    Funds from Bonds can also be used for deferred maintenance projects, that are listed at every campus in Proposition A, so that we do not have to utilize Maintenance & Operations funds for these in the future, thus freeing up funds for academics and instruction, including salaries for teachers.

  • The Elgin ISD Citizens’ Bond Committee reviews and prioritizes District needs relating to student population growth, building age, safety and security, and evolving educational deliveries and programs.

    The Committee represents a broad cross section of the community, including parents, community constituents, and campus and district staff. For Bond 2024, they met six times from September 2023 through December 2023.

    The Committee presented their recommendation to the Elgin ISD Board of Education who made the final decision to call the election.

    Learn more about the Bond Citizens’ Committee here.

  • Elgin ISD currently has a AA- rating with S&P.

  • The interest rate are finalized once bonds are issued/sold. The earliest date would be about 1.5 to 2 months after a successful election.

    School districts are able to borrow money at lower, tax-exempt interest rates .

    Texas school district bond issues are also eligible to receive the State Permanent School Fund Guarantee (“PSF”). This guarantee allows for the bonds to receive the highest credit rating of ’AAA’.

Tax

  • Bond 2021 and Bond 2024 were approved by voters and funded with no increase to the district’s property tax rate. Elgin ISD can achieve this due to the growth in our tax base and our responsible management of taxpayer resources over the last several years. Elgin ISD’s overall tax rate has decreased each year since 2019.

  • State law requires every school district to include the statement “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE” on the ballot, even when the district is NOT expecting a rate increase.

    This is because the issuance of new bonds increases the term of the debt repayment. If all propositions are approved by voters, the EISD tax rate would not increase.

  • No. If you have applied for and received the Age 65 Freeze on your homestead, by law, your school taxes on your homestead cannot be raised above their frozen level, unless significant improvements have been made to the home.

    Also, there is no planned change to the EISD tax rate as a result of this election.

  • The appraised value can change and the tax rate will change, but the amount of school taxes on your homestead cannot increase.

    Normal repairs, maintenance and the economic impact of the market cannot increase the amount of taxes you will pay once a tax ceiling is in place on that homestead.

    Also, there is no planned change to the EISD tax rate as a result of this election.

  • Even though Elgin ISD has reduced the tax rate each year since 2018, your taxes are or may be higher due to the overall property value growth, not the tax rate. Your home value is set by the Bastrop County Appraisal District, Travis Central Appraisal District, or the Lee County Appraisal District. When your home value increases, so does your bill.

Voting

  • Learn more about Voter Registration and find out if you are registered:

    Check Your Voter Registration

  • Any registered voter who resides within the Elgin ISD boundaries can cast their vote.

  • Yes, all registered voters who reside in Elgin ISD are eligible to vote in a bond election.

  • Voters who need to register to vote or update their voter registration information can do so at votetexas.gov.