Stafford adopts $44.25 million 2025–26 budget, keeps tax rate at $1.002121 and approves bond defeasance

Stafford — The Stafford Municipal School District board of trustees and the Stafford City Council unanimously approved the district's proposed $44,248,041 budget for fiscal 2025–26, kept the combined property tax rate at $1.002121 per $100 of valuation and approved a joint resolution to defease (prepay) portions of the district's outstanding bonds at a joint meeting Aug. 25.

The board voted 7-0 to adopt the budget and the city council voted 7-0; the joint body recorded a combined 14-0 vote on the tax rate. The board also approved, by unanimous roll call, a motion to suspend a rule requiring motion and second to take further action when needed during the meeting.

The budget and tax votes came after a presentation from Superintendent Robert Bostick and Chief Financial Officer Dovron Avzah. "This year, we have a balanced budget," Superintendent Robert Bostick told the joint body. CFO Dovron Avzah said the proposed general fund budget totals $44,248,041 and that the administration projects an ending general-fund balance of $3,914,804 if the budget is adopted as presented.

Nut graf: The actions preserve the district's existing tax burden while funding a mix of salary increases and continuing safety measures, and they set out a plan to use excess debt-service reserves to retire bonds early. Trustees and city leaders emphasized that long-term capital needs ' including roof, HVAC, buses and other infrastructure ' remain unaddressed and will require separate capital financing (a bond) in the future.

Most important actions and votes

- Budget adoption: The SMSD board approved the 2025—26 general fund budget, $44,248,041, by a 7-0 roll call. Vice President Jacqueline Jean…