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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming DILLEY ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Key Appointment to County Appraisal District Board
The school board will nominate a candidate for the Frio County Appraisal District Board of Directors. This board oversees the county’s property appraisal process, which is the foundation of your property tax bill and a critical check on appraisal overreach.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: Show up and speak during the Open Forum. Urge the board to nominate a candidate for the Appraisal District Board (Item IX.1.D) who has a public record of fighting for lower appraisals and taxpayer transparency. This is a critical appointment that affects every property owner.
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Price-Setting for 2025 Bond Projects
The board is set to approve the ‘Guaranteed Maximum Price’ (GMP) for projects funded by the 2025 bond. This is a critical step where construction costs are locked in, potentially higher than necessary, without close public scrutiny of the numbers.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) and ask for the proposed Guaranteed Maximum Price documents for Item IX.1.E to be posted online before the meeting. Ask the board: ‘How does this pricing compare to the original bond estimates, and what protections are in place against cost overruns?’
💰 Impact: Bond Project Overruns
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Budget Amendment for Staff ‘Retention Stipends’
The board plans to amend the budget to pay for ‘retention stipends’ for employees. Taxpayers need to know the total cost of these bonuses and, more importantly, where the money is coming from—is it a one-time payment or a new, permanent drain on the budget?
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) regarding Item IX.1.F. Ask: ‘What is the total cost of the proposed retention stipends, and what is the funding source? Will this require a future tax increase to sustain?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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Potential Change to Meeting Dates Could Reduce Public Access
The board is considering changing its regular meeting schedule. While this could be for legitimate reasons, such changes are sometimes used to make it harder for working parents and taxpayers to attend and hold the board accountable.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) and ask the board to explain the reason for changing meeting dates under Item IX.1.C. Urge them to ‘Please ensure any new meeting schedule prioritizes maximum public participation.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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