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Mesquite ISD trustees adopt new tax rate, set voter-approval election for November
Summary
Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the proposed tax rate and to ask voters in November whether to let the district access additional local tax pennies to shore up programs and staff pay amid declining enrollment and rising costs.
The Mesquite Independent School District board voted 7–0 on Aug. 10 to adopt a proposed property tax rate and to place a voter-approval tax ratification election on the November ballot.
Finance staff told trustees that district appraised values rose by about 6% this year but that state funding and formula compression mean Mesquite ISD still faces structural shortfalls. The district’s finance presenter described the election as the only local mechanism to add discretionary maintenance-and-operations pennies: “Do our kids deserve less?” he asked, arguing that adding nine copper pennies would generate roughly $22.4 million a year under the district’s plan.
Board vice president Greg Everett moved to adopt the tax rate as presented; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Trustees also approved the administrative items needed to place the measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
Superintendent Angel Rivera, who told trustees the administration did not recommend cutting student-facing programs, said the board and administration had already taken deep cuts and would be forced to make further reductions if additional revenue is not secured: “I can tell you with a 100% certainty today that if we do not get additional resources … the programs will have to be reevaluated, audited, and some programs will have to go away,” he said.
The board’s action begins a public phase that will include election preparations and outreach; the district noted the final outcome depends on the November vote.
