Katy Independent School District finance staff on Monday presented a formal order to levy the district's proposed tax rate for tax year 2025, a step required by state tax code before a formal adoption vote.

Chris Smith, the district chief financial officer, read the proposed order and the breakdown of the combined tax rate of $1.1171 per $100 valuation: an M&O (maintenance and operations) rate of $0.7271 and an interest and sinking (debt service) rate of $0.39. Smith said the maintenance and operations rate is the same as last year and that the combined rate represents an effective 1.54% increase overall as presented to the board.

Nut graf: The presentation is a formal step required by Texas Tax Code Section 26. Smith told trustees the item must be read again and placed on the next meeting's agenda for formal adoption; the district staff used the same rate in budget planning and will return with the order for action.

Smith explained the M&O composition and the TEA calculation that sets the district's compressed rates. Trustees asked whether this presentation differed from prior months; staff said the earlier figure was discussed in budget workshops and this order is the formal action item required by statute.

Ending: The board was reminded that, under Texas law, the tax rate must be adopted in public session and the order will be read again and considered at the next meeting for formal action.