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(GISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) A rendering of the proposed additions for Woodland Elementary School with the 2023 Graham ISD bond measure which was turned down by votes and included the demolition and construction of a new campus with 24 classrooms. -
(NISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Changes to the Newcastle ISD campus which were included with the 2023 NISD bond measure that passed. Some of the included changes are new classrooms, new covered pick up and drop off area, new cafeteria, new weight and lockers rooms and a new security vestibule.
The Texas Comptroller’s office launched a resource which will provide access to current and historical information on local government bonds, voter-approved tax rate elections and other projects.
The Local Government Bond, Tax, and Project Transparency Database was a part of the House Bill 103 in the 89th Texas Legislature which sought to increase transparency and accountability in local fiscal decisions.
“This database empowers taxpayers with timely, accessible information on bonds, tax rate elections and project spending,” Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock said.
The bill requires the comptroller to maintain the database with historical data on bonds and bond-related information that each Texas taxing unit issues.
Taxing units are required to submit historical data by Jan. 1, 2026. Historical information includes data currently active or approved within the past 10 years, or tax years 2015 through 2025.
“All future proposed or issued bonds and/or voter tax rates approved in a May or November election must be reported by Aug. 7 following the election date,” the comptroller’s website states.
Taxing unit means a county, incorporated city or town, school district, special district or authority or any other political unit of the state.
While these entities are required to submit information, the comptroller states it does not independently verify information in the database or “represent or warrant” that information is accurate or complete.
“Database contents are subject to change without notice, as the comptroller strives to promptly incorporate new and updated information it receives throughout the year,” the website states.
Bond elections will be listed with ballot language, projected Interest and Sinking (I&S) Fund tax rate, votes in support and against, bond election results, list of proposed projects to be funded, dollar amount of any funded projects, description of increase in I&S tax rate and an estimate of the minimum dollar amount required to spend on debt service.
For school district Maintenance and Operation (M&O) bond elections they will have to list if the proposition was not approved or the proposed and approved tax rate as well as the ballot language for the M&O taxes levied.
Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) will be listed with the taxing unit’s current adopted tax rate, voter approved tax rate, difference between adopted and voter-approved tax rate, preceding year tax rate, number of votes for and against the proposition and if the proposition was not approved by the voters.
