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SAISD adopts balanced 2025–26 budget, sets tax rate and begins bond work
Summary
The San Angelo ISD board approved the district's 2025–26 budget, set a proposed tax rate that funds operations and debt service tied to the new bond, and confirmed the first bond payment and deposits. Trustees voted unanimously to adopt budgets and tax rates and the district reported bond proceeds are deposited and working capital allocated.
The San Angelo Independent School District board on Tuesday adopted the district’s 2025–26 budget, set the maintenance-and-operations and interest-and-sinking tax rates for the coming year, and confirmed bond deposits and an early bond payment.
The board approved a balanced budget that forecasts roughly $138,000,000 in available revenue for the year and reflects legislative changes, including state funding increases and teacher compensation considerations tied to House Bill 2. Doctor Brandon (reports) told trustees the budget shows an approximate increase of $5,700,000 over the prior year tied mostly to state funding and that the state-directed teacher pay raises required roughly $6,000,000 in new money.
Why it matters: The vote establishes spending authority for the district and sets the tax rates that will appear on local property tax bills. It also puts bond proceeds into use for campus projects and affects taxpayers’ payments over the life of the bond.
Tax, bond and budget details: The board set a proposed total tax rate of 1.0706 per $100 of taxable value (0.7122 for maintenance and operations; 0.3584 for interest and sinking), with a voter-approval tax rate shown at 1.08. Brandon told the board that a homestead exemption increase (from $100,000 to $140,000, with up to $200,000 for residents 65 and older) reduces individual tax bills for many homeowners even as the district’s bond increases I&S. The board also discussed a series 2025 bond issuance of $397,000,000; administration reported that bond proceeds were deposited to three accounts and the district made an early bond payment on Aug. 15.
Board votes and financial safeguards: Trustees unanimously approved the budget and tax rate (motion records show votes 7–0). Administration noted the district maintains an unrestricted fund balance and recommended committing roughly $5.6 million of unassigned fund balance to specific capital items while retaining a three-month operating reserve the state recommends (about $31 million for SAISD).
What the district said about savings: Doctor Brandon told the board that by making the first bond payment before Sept. 1 the district saved local taxpayers interest costs; he said the early payment will reduce interest over the life of the bond and estimated long-term savings in the tens of millions.
Ending: With budgets adopted, trustees authorized spending and directed staff to proceed with bond project planning and reporting. The superintendent and finance staff said they will continue to provide monthly financial reports and update the public as projects move from design to construction.
