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Liberty Hill ISD projects revenue gains but flags $2M debt‑service shortfall; schedules Aug. 15 budget adoption
Summary
District officials reported a positive property‑value study and are awaiting certified values by July 25; staff warned of a projected $2 million debt‑service deficit and a small TRS contribution increase that adds roughly $87,000 to district costs.
At a July 15 board workshop, Liberty Hill ISD staff told trustees that a property‑value study for fiscal 2023–24 produced positive results and that certified property values from Williamson Central Appraisal District are expected by July 25. Staff said the district is recalculating state funding using an updated state finance template and will present updated revenue estimates after certification.
Mrs. Guerrero, presenting the budget update, said the district must follow a statutory timeline for the August 15 public adoption meeting — adopting the budget before setting the tax rate — and noted the district would need to include assumptions about any voter‑approved tax‑rate election in the August adoption package. She urged the board to plan outreach and communications ahead of the election timeline, with an efficiency audit scheduled for public release in October and early voting typically beginning in mid‑October.
On expenditures, presenters said the district’s TRS (Teacher Retirement System) contribution rate for the district will increase from 1.9% to 2.0%, which they estimated as roughly $87,000 of additional district expense on an $87 million payroll. Staff also presented an early projection of a $2,000,000 deficit in the debt‑service fund, noting the estimate will be revised when certified property values and possible bond sale capacity are known.
Food‑service staff said adding two new campuses (Tierra Rosa Elementary and Legacy Ranch High School) is projected to increase food‑service revenue by about $555,000 while remaining balanced on expenses after adding staff and operational costs for the new sites.
Mrs. Guerrero said the public hearing and budget adoption on Aug. 15 will include the district’s calculations both with and without any assumed voter‑approved tax‑rate revenue; if voters reject the measure later, the board would have to amend the tax rate. Trustees had no substantive objections to the timeline but asked for continued updates as certified values arrive.
