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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming VENUS ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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District Hikes Tax Bills Despite “Rate Cut”
The district’s own Taxpayer Impact Statement reveals that while the property tax *rate* is slightly decreasing, rising property values mean the median homeowner’s tax *bill* will increase by $313. This is a tax hike, not a tax cut, as it exceeds the no-new-revenue rate which would have kept tax bills flat.
Response
This is not a tax cut. Contact the Venus ISD Board (see district website for contact info) and demand they adopt the no-new-revenue tax rate to prevent this property tax hike.
💰 Impact: $313 Tax Increase Per Home
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Budget Shows $1.39M Deficit in Debt Fund
The district’s approved budget for its Debt Service Fund shows it will spend $1.39 million more on debt payments than it takes in from revenue for that fund. This structural deficit suggests the district is draining its savings to pay for past debt, a practice that is not sustainable and can lead to future tax hikes.
Response
During public comment for Item 4, ask the Board: ‘How is the $1.39 million deficit in the Debt Service Fund being covered, and what is the long-term plan to fix this structural imbalance without future tax hikes?’
💰 Impact: $1.39M Structural Deficit
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague “Good Cause Exception” Vote
The board plans to vote on a “Good Cause Exception” without providing any public documentation explaining what this exception is for or what policy it circumvents. This lack of transparency prevents taxpayers from understanding the implications of the vote before it happens.
Response
Email the Venus ISD Board (see district website for contact info): ‘Before voting on Item 12, please publicly explain what the ‘Good Cause Exception’ is and post the relevant documentation for public review.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Policy Change
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Three-Year Contract with Amplify Education
The board is approving a three-year contract with Amplify Education, a national vendor known for curriculum development. While the agenda item specifies Google Workspace licenses, this establishes a long-term relationship with a vendor that could expand into curriculum and other services with potential ideological components.
Response
Demand the board release the full contract for Item 13 before the vote. Ask: ‘Does this contract with Amplify Education include any data sharing, professional development, or curriculum components beyond Google licenses?’
💰 Impact: Potential Mission Creep
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