GISD moves ahead on 13 cent tax increase

Chad Blackshear
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE July 03, 2008 12:46 am

— There was a general consensus among GISD trustees that a tax rate increase of 13 cents would be necessary for the Greenville Independent School District to deal with rising costs when the board of trustees met earlier this week.
According to board president Charles Sivley, there are several other school districts in the area asking for the same tax rate increase and GISD needs to consider taking the asking for the increase as well.
Information provided the board by GISD Budget Director Shelly Tubbs indicated that each 1 cent increase in the tax rate would equate to $187,000 of additional revenue for the district. According to Tubbs’ presentation, $70,000 of the revenue would be derived locally, while the remaining $117,000 would come in the form of state funding.
If the entire 13 cent rate increase were to be adopted, raising the tax rate to $1.17 per $100 valuation, the district would receive an additional $2.43 million in revenue. “It is our obligation as the board to do what is best for the children,” Silvey said.
The sentiment among all board members was that now is not the best time to ask for a tax rate increase; however, it would be necessary as district administrators are attempting to deal with rising fuel costs and aging infrastructure at some of the campuses.
“The whole key is how we educate our community,” said trustee Slack Brown.
Trustee Randy Wineinger expressed doubt about the tax rate increase passing at this point in time, while stating the district needed additional revenue.
All of the trustees expressed their desire for concerned citizens to attend the next meeting on July 15.