During a public work session on Aug. 13, Tarrant County College (TCC) trustees considered a proposal to increase the college’s property‑tax rate. Residents who spoke did not call for a rejection of the hike; instead, they directed criticism toward state funding cuts and the Tarrant Appraisal District’s appraisal policies, and asked the board to safeguard homeowners who can least afford a higher bill.
Financial pressures prompting the proposal
TCC faces a shrinking tax base, reduced state appropriations, and a state‑mandated freeze on tuition and fee increases that began in spring 2024. To fund a $429.4 million operating budget, the college recommends raising its property‑tax rate from 11.228 cents to 12 cents per $100 of taxable value. That change would add $7.72 annually for every $100,000 of taxable value.
For the average Tarrant County home, valued at $341,599, the increase would cost about $26.37 per year, according to Chief Financial Officer Pam Anglin. The proposal splits the overall tax into a maintenance‑and‑operations (M&O) component and a debt‑service component. The M&O rate would rise from 9.628 cents to 10.55 cents, while the debt‑service rate would drop from 1.6 cents to 1.45 cents.
Impact on taxpayers and exemptions
Even with the increase, TCC projects property‑tax revenue to fall by roughly $8 million to $281 million in fiscal 2027 because certified property values dropped from $322 billion to $283 billion this year. The college currently offers a homestead exemption equal to 1 % of a home’s appraised value, with a minimum of $5,000. No changes to that exemption appear on the Aug. 20 agenda.
Resident Ambika Sharma asked trustees to consider larger exemptions for lower‑income families and seniors, emphasizing the need to avoid adverse impacts on those most vulnerable. Trustee Veronica Chavez Law called the proposal “an investment by the community,” highlighting free programs and workforce‑training opportunities that TCC provides.
State funding and tuition freeze
Texas shifted community‑college funding toward outcomes in 2023, tying state dollars to degrees, certificates and credentials in high‑demand fields. While TCC exceeded performance projections, the state adjusted its formula, resulting in an expected $59.6 million from the state in fiscal 2027—about $4.1 million less than administrators had projected.
Chancellor Elva LeBlanc noted that the college has kept tuition at $74 per credit hour since spring 2024, when Gov. Greg Abbott froze tuition and mandatory fees through 2027. The freeze cost TCC an estimated $16.7 million in planned revenue, though enrollment growth is expected to raise tuition and continuing‑education revenue by $2.5 million.
Board perspectives
Four trustees who attended the session largely defended the increase, though none disclosed how they would vote. Trustee Leonard Hornsby described the hike as the college’s “last resort,” saying, “We have no other recourse right now.” Board President Jeannie Deakyne said she examined eliminating the homestead exemption but rejected the idea, calling it “another shell game.”
Colleyville resident and TAD board candidate Sayeda Syed warned that many taxing entities across Tarrant County are responding to falling property values with higher rates, noting that the proposed increase is not unique to TCC.
Next steps
If the trustees approve the increase, the rate would remain below the voter‑approval ceiling of just over 12.5 cents per $100 of taxable value. Exceeding that threshold would require placing the measure on the November ballot for voter approval.
The discussion underscores the tension between shrinking state support, local property‑value declines, and the college’s commitment to affordable education and community programs. Residents and trustees alike emphasized the need to protect lower‑income families while ensuring TCC can continue its mission.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
