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Election Day for the Attendance Credit Election is Saturday, November 13

*****Update****** Election Results

Total votes: 141

For - 123

Against - 18

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE CREDIT ELECTION:  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021

The Attendance Credit Election is a state required, one-time, election that asks voters to enable Blanco ISD to continue to make the mandatory recapture (excess local revenue) payments to the state. The election will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 to authorize the Board of Trustees of the Blanco Independent School District to purchase attendance credits from the state with local tax revenues.

Blanco ISD will hold the election on Saturday, November 13 seeking voter approval for a process to reimburse the state for recapture (excess local revenue) payments. The special election is required due to changes brought about by Texas House Bill 3 (HB3) in the 86th Legislative Session in 2019.

WHAT IS RECAPTURE (EXCESS LOCAL REVENUE)?
The Texas Education Code (TEC) makes provisions for certain districts with excess local revenue to pay funds into the Foundation School Program for distribution to other districts.  Districts with local revenue that exceed the levels provided by Section 48.257 are subject to the provisions in TEC, Chapter 49.  The funds that are distributed by districts with local revenue in excess of entitlement are “recaptured” by the school finance system to assist with the financing of public education for all school districts.  This law recaptures tax dollars from property wealthy districts like Blanco ISD, and sends them to lower property wealth districts across Texas.   Because of this, Blanco ISD is required to make yearly payments to the state. This payment is called a recapture payment.

In years’ prior, the district made all the required recapture payments and was allowed to offset the reduction of excess local revenue against Chapter 48 funds provided by the state using a method called “Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credit, Netting Chapter 48 Funding”.  Significant increases to property values over the past several years no longer allows the district to net the recapture payment with state funds.  Blanco ISD prefers the method of Purchasing Attendance Credits for recapture payment because it is the most-cost effective.  Currently, 100% of Texas school districts that are subject to recapture have chosen this method from the Texas Education Agency.

It is estimated Blanco ISD will pay approximately $1,076,354 in recapture in 2021-2022.

VOTER APPROVAL REQUIRED – POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
In order for Blanco ISD to purchase attendance credits, the District is now required to seek voter approval. This one-time election is asking voters to approve the process by which payment is made.

WHAT HAPPENS IF VOTERS APPROVE THE BALLOT MEASURE?  If approved by voters, Blanco ISD will continue to make the required payments using attendance credits.  A for vote does not change the total tax rate or impact what a taxpayer pays, and also does NOT include the detachment and annexation of property and school district consolidation.

WHAT HAPPENS IF VOTERS DO NOT APPROVE THE BALLOT MEASURE?  If not approved by the voters, Blanco ISD will still have to reduce our property tax wealth.  If the ballot measure fails, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will order the detachment and annexation of property under Chapter 49, Subchapter G or consolidation under Subchapter H, specifying the portion of the taxable value of the property to be detached and annexed.  In addition, there may be other consequences of a failure by voters to approve the District’s ballot measure in November.  The District may find it necessary to increase the I&S tax rate on the debt service side to offset the amount of property that could be detached and annexed. 

ELECTION INFORMATION
The Recapture Election will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the Blanco ISD Central Office located at 814 Eleventh Street, Blanco.  Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.  Early voting will take place October 27 – November 9.

BALLOT LANGUAGE:

AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE BLANCO INDEPENDENT

SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PURCHASE ATTENDANCE CREDITS FROM THE STATE

WITH LOCAL TAX REVENUES.

ELECTION DAY
Saturday, November 13, 2021
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
EARLY VOTING
October 27 - November 9
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
VOTING LOCATION
Blanco ISD Central Office
814 Eleventh Street, Blanco, Texas 78606

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING DATES

October 21st – Thursday                Public Meeting – District Office Auditorium 6:00 pm

November 10th – Wednesday        Public Meeting – District Office Auditorium 7:00 pm

             District Office Auditorium Address:

                             814 Eleventh Street
                             â€‹Blanco, TX 78606

Attendance Credit Election Saturday, November 13, 2021

Dates and Locations

ELECTION DAY
Saturday, November 13, 2021
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
EARLY VOTING
October 27 - November 9
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
VOTING LOCATION
Blanco ISD Central Office
814 Eleventh Street, Blanco, Texas 78606

Public Meeting Dates

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING DATES

October 21st – Thursday                Public Meeting – District Office Auditorium 6:00 pm

November 10th – Wednesday        Public Meeting – District Office Auditorium 7:00 pm