Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD adopts 2025-26 budgets, approves higher M&O tax rate and calls voter election

The Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday adopted the district—s fiscal 2025-26 budgets, approved a higher maintenance-and-operations (M&O) tax rate paired with a reduced interest-and-sinking (I&S) rate, authorized continued early payoff (defeasance) of outstanding bonds, and called a voter ratification election on the tax rate.

The actions came at a special meeting that included a public hearing on the budget and proposed tax rates and several public comments in support of the district.

Brian Moyer, the district—s chief financial officer, told the board the budget package includes three legally required budgets: the general fund, the debt-service fund and the child nutrition fund. Moyer said the general fund budget totals about $178 million and that child nutrition revenue is projected at about $8.7 million with expected expenditures that will reduce the child nutrition fund balance as part of a previously filed spend-down plan. He described an expected drop in taxable property values of roughly 10.5 percent (about $900 million) and said the budget models assume potential constitutional homestead-exemption amendments on the November ballot.

"If we go for all 12 available pennies to us, 3 have a very large match from the state," Moyer said, explaining that state matching "golden pennies" raise state aid and local revenue together. He told the board and audience that the district—s projection for capturing the full available 12 pennies produces roughly $16 million to $17 million in additional ongoing revenue in his model.

Nut graf: The board approved a bundled set of fiscal measures intended to stabilize district finances, fund deferred capital and program needs, and secure state matching revenue that is only available if the district adopts the…