BISD finance chief reports general-fund deficit but improvements; special revenue and debt service details reviewed

Brownsville ISD’s finance leadership presented a monthly financial report for the period ending March 31, 2025, showing continuing deficits in the general fund but some improvement month over month.

Chief financial officer reported general-fund revenues of approximately $327.8 million and expenditures of about $367.2 million, yielding an operating deficit near $39.4 million as of March 31. The CFO said the district continues to collect property taxes through August and has reduced the general-fund deficit by roughly $6.3 million since the prior month.

The special revenue fund (state and federal grant funds) operates on a reimburseable basis: the district has completed drawdowns totaling about $26.0 million and incurred expenses near $39.8 million, leaving an apparent timing deficit the finance office expects to close as reimbursements are received. The debt-service fund showed receipts near $20.0 million and expenditures near $13.2 million, a surplus of about $6.7 million tied in part to a budget amendment that included proceeds from an I&S defeasance used to retire bonded debt sooner.

The district’s self-insurance fund reported collections of about $37.2 million and claims expenditures about $41.6 million, a deficit near $4.3 million that has improved from the prior month. Trustees asked for clarifications about timing of property-tax receipts and the CFO explained the bulk of property-tax revenue arrives in the Oct–Jan period and monthly collections continue afterward. The board did not take action on the report; finance staff said they will continue monitoring and provide updates during upcoming budget work.