Justin Independent School District officials told the Universal City City Council on Oct. 7 that a voter‑approval tax rate election on Nov. 4 would bring roughly $21 million in annual maintenance and operations revenue and could close a portion of a multi‑million dollar budget gap.

Dr. Phil Field, superintendent of Justin Independent School District, said, "Approval of the VADER would bring in about $21,000,000 to the district, allowing us to possibly balance budget within a year." Tony Kingman, the district chief financial officer, outlined the tax‑rate math driving that figure.

The district described the ballot measure as a voter‑approved tax rate election — referred to in presentations as the VADER — that would increase the district's overall tax rate by 4.5 cents compared with last year. Kingman told the council the maintenance and operations (M&O) rate would rise by 6.5 cents while the interest and sinking (I&S) rate used to pay bond debt would fall by 2 cents, producing the net 4.5‑cent increase.

Kingman said the district projects a baseline shortfall of about $32 million for the 2025–26 fiscal year and $37 million when one‑time costs are included; he said the VADER would generate about $21 million annually. "If the VADER does not pass, the district will still face a full $37,000,000 deficit and will have to make some very, very difficult decisions," the CFO told the council during the presentation.

Officials said the additional revenue would be used for core services, including teacher and staff compensation and student supports such as social‑emotional learning, special education, dyslexia services and gifted programs. The presenters emphasized that the measure is not a bond (which funds facilities); Kingman said bonds "may not be used for employee compensation, including raises or daily operation," and that the VADER is intended to address operating costs instead.

The district also proposed raising the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 on the ballot; presenters said that change would reduce taxable value for many homeowners and that the district’s published examples show an average homeowner in Justin ISD could see savings on the order of about $300 per year on their property tax bill, even with the net tax‑rate increase.

Kingman reviewed timing: the voter registration deadline was Oct. 6, early voting begins Oct. 20, and election day is Nov. 4. He also noted the ballot will use language that the measure is a tax increase because the proposed rate is higher than last year, even though the homestead exemption change can lower tax bills for many homeowners.

Council members asked clarifying questions about where students who leave the district go and about charter school enrollment practices; presenters responded that student movement varies and that charter admissions and retention practices differ by school. The district directed listeners to its VADER web page for detailed calculations and an online slider to estimate household impact at www.justinsd.org/vader.

The council received the presentation; no council motion or formal vote on the measure took place during the meeting. The district presentation and questions occupied the public‑comment/staff‑report portion of the Oct. 7 agenda.

The ballot language and the Nov. 4 election outcome will determine whether the additional operating revenue is available to the district starting in the next budget cycle.