Comal ISD approves bond refunding plan projected to save about $18 million

The Comal ISD Board of Trustees on Sept. 25 approved a parameter order authorizing staff to pursue refunding of callable portions of the district's outstanding bonds, a move presented as likely to reduce debt service by about $18 million over the refunding period. Larry Guerra and a financial team presented the opportunity to refinance callable portions of series 2016 and 2017 bonds that become callable Feb. 1, 2026. Samco representative Mister Westerman said the current market runs show projected total debt-service savings of slightly over $18,000,000 and an estimated effective interest rate of about 3.66% compared with an average rate of 4.67% on the bonds being refunded. The resolution set parameters including a maximum issue size of $210,600,000, a maximum maturity of Feb. 1, 2042, an interest-rate cap of 5.5%, and a minimum present-value savings threshold of 3% (current runs showed roughly 6%). The presenters said the district has applied for and expects to receive a permanent school fund guarantee on the refunding. Board members thanked staff for identifying savings and voted 7-0 to approve the order. The district's advisers said the timing window opens within 90 days of the Feb. 1, 2026 call date and closing after Nov. 1 would meet legal timing requirements.