EPISD Sets Date for Tax Hike Election

With a vote of 5-1, the El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees agreed to ask taxpayers to shell out a little more to keep the district out of a $6-8 million budget shortfall for the 2010-2011 school year.

EPISD wants the tax rate to go from $1.23 to $1.36 for every $100 of home valuation.

Voters will get their chance to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on Tuesday, June 15.

If passed, the difference of 13 cents would translate into an extra $10.83 a month for a homeowner with a property valued at $100,000.

Seniors older than 65, disabled veterans and people on social security disability would be exempt.

District officials say a tax increase would mean more matching funds from the State of Texas, totaling about $19 million dollars a year in the years to come.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, EPISD Trustee David Dodge – the lone vote against the tax election – said he believed now is not the time to ask taxpayers for more money.

Dodge pointed to the Ysleta district’s failed bond election to drive home his point.

“This is lousy timing,” he said.