The Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) board of trustees approved the fiscal year 2026-27 budget and discussed the proposed tax rate at a June 22 meeting. The general operating budget includes $104.49 million in expenditures and a net shortfall of $1.98 million, a decrease from the current $2.04 million deficit.

Breakdown of the Budget

Payroll is the largest expenditure by object, accounting for 79.97% of district spending, compared to 83% in FY 2025-26. The district estimates spending $4.75 million in state recapture, which collects excess local tax revenue from some districts and redistributes it to assist with the financing of public education for all school districts.

The general fund was budgeted with the assumptions of a 99% tax collection rate, a 1% general pay increase, an 8,761 student enrollment, and a 95.25% average daily attendance rate. Public schools receive a basic allotment from the state of $6,215 per student in attendance, a $55 increase from the previous rate set in 2019.

Tax Rate and Projections

The proposed tax rate for FY 2026-27 is $1.061 per $100 valuation, about a 4-cent decrease from the previous rate. This includes a maintenance and operations rate of $0.711 and an interest and sinking rate of $0.35. While the proposed rate is lower than the previous fiscal year, homeowners may pay more in school district taxes due to an increase in the median property value.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.