Friendship Board adopts 2025–26 budget, keeps interest-and-sinking rate at 40¢

The Friendship Board of Trustees voted to adopt the 2025–26 district budget and separately approved an ordinance setting the tax rate at $1.15067 per $100 of taxable value, keeping the interest-and-sinking (I&S) rate at 40¢ and the maintenance-and-operations (M&O) rate at 75.67¢. Chief Financial Officer Pauline Reese told the board the recommended rate is below the voter-approved rate and below the no-new-revenue rate calculated by the appraisal district, producing a net tax change the presentation quantified as roughly -4.277% and an average homeowner impact of about $10.15 per year.

Reese said the proposed budget funds compensation packages for all employees, the addition of Memorial High School staff and operating costs, expanded programming and transportation needs and relies on a mix of state, local and federal funding. "We are bringing to you the proposed tax rate of a dollar $15.06 7, which is below the voter approved rate," Reese said during the presentation. The board approved the budget and then the ordinance by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript and the motions passed by consensus.

The budget package the board approved comprises the general fund, child nutrition fund and debt service fund per TEA guidance and includes previously recommended pay schedules and program allocations. Reese pointed to constrained property valuations and the pending $140,000 homestead-exemption proposal as reasons the administration built a conservative revenue forecast for 2025–26. The board scheduled no additional public comment before adopting the measures; President announced there were no public speakers and closed the public hearing.