Belton ISD board adopts conservative assumptions to begin 2025–26 budget process

Belton Independent School District trustees on Monday adopted a set of conservative assumptions to guide development of the 2025–26 budget, including a lower enrollment projection and an 8% assumption for property-value growth.

The assumptions, presented by Chief Financial Officer Melissa Lafferty, use a starting projected enrollment of 13,584 (the district demographer's lowest projection), apply 92% for average daily attendance in revenue estimates, and assume 8% property-value growth while holding the district's insurance contribution at $410 per month. Lafferty told the board the assumptions would produce an initial tax rate starting at $1.11 per $100 of valuation assuming the district's debt rate remains unchanged.

The board adopted the assumptions to begin the budget-development process even though, Lafferty said, many variables remain uncertain because of ongoing state legislative activity. She described the approach as conservative: campus allocations were reduced by 10% overall in the draft assumptions, the district built in roughly $500,000 for unexpected HVAC repairs, and officials expect the tax rate estimate will change as actual property values and legislative actions become clear.

Board members who spoke during the discussion praised the conservative stance and noted the assumptions are a starting point that will be revised as the Legislature and appraisal values become known. No amendments were made during the meeting.

The motion to approve the 2025–26 budget assumptions passed by the board without discussion on a voice/hand vote recorded as unanimous.