Alamo Heights ISD board approves 2025 tax rate; general fund rate falls slightly, debt rate rises

At its Aug. 20 meeting, the Alamo Heights Independent School District Board of Trustees held a public tax rate hearing and approved a combined ad valorem tax rate of $0.9572 per $100 of taxable value for 2025.

District finance presenter Matt Stregher read the resolution into the public record and summarized the components: a $0.7122 rate for the general fund (down from $0.7512 last year) and a $0.2245 rate for debt service (up about three cents from the prior year). Stregher told the board the overall rate is slightly lower than last year’s combined rate of $0.9622.

Stregher explained why the debt‑service portion rose: ongoing bond issuances tied to the 2023 bond program and forecasted changes such as a proposed increase in the homestead exemption put upward pressure on debt‑service needs. He also told trustees the district’s debt‑service rate remains well under the statutory maximum of $0.50 per $100 of valuation.

Trustee Horner used the hearing to note the practical limits the district faces under state law. "The constitution of the state of Texas prohibits a statewide property tax," Horner said, then observed that state rules set the district’s maximum compressed rate and that trustees do not directly set most of the operating portion.

A trustee moved to approve the tax rate hearing as presented; a second was made by Trustee Carrie. The board voted and the motion carried.

The resolution sets tax due dates and penalties: taxes unpaid before Jan. 31, 2026, will be subject to the maximum penalties and interest allowed by law, Stregher said.

Ending note: Stregher invited questions; none were raised beyond the previously noted comments. Trustees then moved to the next agenda item.