At the Sept. 9 Tomball ISD Board of Trustees meeting, trustees adopted a tax‑rate resolution for 2025. Trustee Mr. McStravick made the motion required by statute and the board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution as presented.

Why it matters: The tax rate funds district operations and debt service and is central to the district’s budget. Trustees said the adopted rate supports the balanced budget the board approved in June and that statutory phrasing is required in the motion even when the practical effect is to hold the tax rate steady.

Mr. McStravick, who made the motion, noted the statutory language used when adopting tax rates can sound like an increase even when the district is keeping the same rate. Trustee Tina Salem urged residents to watch the board’s workshop presentation and earlier budget hearings for fuller context. Tomball ISD Chief Financial Officer Zach Bowles summarized the district’s tax‑base figures and said that before applying homestead changes the district’s tax base showed growth; after applying the proposed homestead exemption scenarios the district’s taxable value change is smaller but still positive.

Trustees discussed scenarios staff presented showing how a proposed increase in the state homestead exemption could change individual tax bills. Using example scenarios shown at the workshop, staff said a household with a particular assumed appraised value could see different outcomes; staff cited scenario savings numbers discussed in the workshop, including an example showing a $425.16 reduction under one set of assumptions and a $106.29 reduction under another, but trustees cautioned those figures depend on local appraisal changes and other taxing entities. Trustees also noted that any reduction in a homeowner’s district school tax bill depends on passage of the state homestead exemption change and on local appraisal results.

Trustees voted on the resolution after the required motion and second; the board’s vote carried unanimously. Board members emphasized that, in the district’s view, any change in individual tax bills would arise from property appraisals and from state homestead legislation rather than from a higher Tomball ISD tax rate, which trustees said remains unchanged.

Trustees asked staff to include clear explanatory language on tax statements and mailings about assumptions tied to the homestead exemption and to continue public outreach so homeowners understand scenarios depend on appraisal changes and whether state measures are approved by voters.

Motion: trustee Mr. McStravick moved to adopt the tax rate resolution as read; Mr. Levandowski seconded. The motion passed unanimously.